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The Mirage or Glowing Sandy Plain. Isaiah xxxv. 7, 




Posture at Meals in the East. Luke xiv 16 



BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS; 

OR, / 

A DESCRIPTION OF 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 

PECULIAR TO THE EAST, 

ESi^CIALLY 

EXPLANATORY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 

BY TI^E '^ 

REV P. H. DRAPER, 

n 
Author of** Scripture Stories fioni the Old ij,iid New Testament." 



AxMERlCAlNF EDITION WITH MANY IMPROVEMENTS. 

ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS. 



BOSTON: 

CARTER, HENDEE & Co. 

1832. 






Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1832^ by Samuel G. 
Goodrich, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



/^^§ 



Stereotyped by Jenkins & Greenough, 
Water-Street, Boston. 



ADVERTISEMENT 

TO THE ENGLISH EDITION. 



A KNOWLEDGE of the customs and manners of the 
East is absolutely necessary to a right understanding 
of the Scriptures. Most persons can recollect, when 
they were young, how singular and difficult some 
parts of the Bible appeared, which, from their enlar- 
ged information, they now regard as very simple and 
beautiful. 

It was not possible that a volume of this size could 
include the whole of those customs to which there 
are manifold allusions in the Sacred Writings; it how- 
ever comprehends many of the most interesting and 
instructive, and such as are amply sufficient to prove 
that the Scriptures are accurate in their representSv-^ 



IV ADVERTISEMENT. 

tions, and worthy of respect, even where, at the first 
sight, the sense does not immediately appear. 

It is hoped, that the ensuing pages will be permit- 
ted to occupy a place among those useful volumes 
which the young will be allured to read on the hal- 
lowed hours between the intervals of public worship 
on the Lord's Day ; and that some of the instructors 
of the rising generation will employ them in their la- 
bour as conducive to that variety which is so exceed- 
ingly agreeable and necessary to their enlarged suc- 
cess. 

Southampton, 1831. 



CONTENTS. 



340 



Page 

Introduction ,,.•.... 1 

Eastern Houses 12 

Bricks 22 

Hospitality ........ 25 

Homage . . . . . . . . .31 

Sacrifices . • • • . . . . 38 

Inns . . . .41 

Keys . . . . . " " . . 45 

Covenants 47 

Serpents 49 

Wheat, Bread, Food, &c .54 

Ovens . . ..•.-.• • . • • ^^ 

Ornaments 64 

Rice ......... 69 

Eating Flesh "73 

Napkins 78 

Books and Writing . 82 

Feasts, and Meals 96 

Presents 103 



yiil CONTENTS. 

Cattle, Agriculture, and Vineyards . . , , IK 

Trade and Commerce 12( 

Music and Poetry 12 ■ 

The Grecian Games 13^ 

Grinding . , ISI 

Tents 141 

Climate 145 

Fire 146 

Bottles .... ... 147 

Shoes • • • • » • « .151 

Thrones 155 

The Mirage 158 

The Simoom . . / 163 

Gold 164 

Water Spouts 165 

Door-ways and Gates . 166 

Balances . . , . . . . . . 169 

Salutation 171 

Moloch ......... 174 

Garments ......... 176 

Threshing . 184 

Posture 194 

Mourning 197 

Miscellaneous Subjects 203 



INTRODUCTION. 



Mr. Ben yon resided at a handsome country seat on 
the coast of Hampshire in England. In early life he 
had been engaged in the busy pursuits of commerce, in 
the neighborhood of London. These he had now re- 
linquished. His state of health rendered the sea-air 
necessary to his welfare ; and as his father had left 
him a considerable fortune, he was well able to give 
up the profits of trade to those who had more need of 
them. 

And he was as willing to do so, as he was able ; for 
he was fond of a retired, contemplative life. And es- 
pecially was this the case, when he had lost his wife, 
who died after a long illness, leaving a fine little boy 
to his care. He determined, therefore, to gratify the 
best wishes of his heart, by devoting his leisure hours 
to the education of this child. His sentiments on this 
important subject, were in unison with those of Cqw- 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

per ; when conversing upon this topic, he would often 
repeat the following lines, with much interest and an- 
imation ; — 

** Then why resign into a stranger's hand 

A task so much within your own command, 

That God and nature, and your interest too, 

Seem with one voice to delegate to you ? 

Why hire a lodging in a house unknown, 

For one, whose tenderest thoughts all hover round your own ? 

This second weaning, needless as it is. 

How does it lacerate both your heart and his ! 

The indented stick, that looses day by day. 

Notch after notch, till all are smoothed away. 

Bears witness, long ere his dismission come. 

With what intense desire he wants his home !' 

thus Mr. Benyon determined to be ''Father, and 
Friend, and Tutor, all in one ;" and he was well qual- 
ified for the task. 

His household was regulated very much in the style 
of the best of our forefathers. For example, he had 
a high degree of reverence for the Holy Scriptures ; 
he believed, with Locke, that they "have God for 
their author, salvation for their end, and truth, with- 
out any mixture of error, for their matter." He felt, 
that the testimony of Sir W. Jones, in reference to 
the Bible, was well-founded ; '' I have regularly," said 
that learned man, " and attentively read the Holy 



INTRODUCTION. ll 

Scriptures ; and am of opinion, that this volume, in- 
dependently of its divine origin, contains more sub- 
limity and beauty, more pure morality, more important 
history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence, 
than can be collected from all other books, in whatev- 
er age or language they may have been composed." 

The friends and relatives of Mr. Benyon often visi- 
ted him in his retirement ; but, whoever might be 
present, he assembled his household each morning and 
evening, to hear a portion of the sacred pages, and to 
offer supplication and thanksgiving to the great source 
of all good. 

Harry was a very sensible boy, and apt to ask ques- 
tions about every thing. His father encouraged him 
to do so, as it was one of his principal enjoyments to 
impart to him that knowledge which, he hoped, by 
the divine blessing, would make him wise and useful. 

This excellent youth often noticed expressions and 
transactions that appeared singular in those parts of 
sacred writ, which were daily read in his hearing; 
and he did not forget to ask his father to explain what 
he could not understand ; an example well worthy the 
imitation of alL 



[ 12 ] 

EASTERN HOUSES. 

One morning, after Mr. Benyon had read to hid 
family the interesting account of the healing of the 
Paralytic, (Mark ii.) he and Henry walked out to en- 
joy the cool breeze. It was one of those beautiful 
spring mornings, when, as Akenside says* 



-** All is beauty to the eye. 



And music to the ear. ' 

As they were standing at the end of the terrace in the 
garden, watching the tide gently creeping up in silve- 
ry streamlets on the coast, Harry said, '' Father, I 
have been thinking about the poor man, of whom you 
read this morning ; how could they get him to the top 
of the house, and then let him down before our Lord ? 
Did they take off the roof?" 

''I am not surprised, Harry, that the account puz- 

Mark ii. 3. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of 
the palsy, which was borne of four. 

4. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the 
press, they uncovered the roof where he was : and when they 
had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of 
the palsy lay. 

Repeat the verses from Mark that relate to the Paralytic What question 
does Harry ask about letting down the Paralytic 1 



HOUSES. 18 

zled you. I will explain it. There are many other 
Scriptures which would seem very singular, and for 
the same reason ; that is, because the houses in the 
East, where the Scriptures were written, are not like 
those which you see in this country. The houses in 
Judea were built with flat roofs ; and they had battle- 
ments around them for safety, according to God's own 
command, (Deut. xxii. 8.) Hence the people in the 
East are accustomed to lay flax and linen to dry on the 
tops of their houses : we read that the spies conceal- 
ed by Rahab were hid among these. (Joshua ii. 6.) 
The house-tops were the scenes of social intercourse 
and friendly conversation ; so, we are informed that 
Samuel and Saul were talking together on the house-top. 
(1. Sam. ix. 25 — 6.) At the Feast of Tabernacles, the 

Deut. xxii. 8. When thou buildest a new house, then thou 
shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood 
upon thine house, if any man fall from thence. 

Joshua ii. 6. But she had brought them up to the roof of the 
house, and hid them with the stalks of flax^ which she had laid 
in order upon the roof 

Sam. 1. ix. 25. And when they were come down from the 

Why do many verses in Scripture seem singular respecting the houses in the 
East 1 How were the houses in Judea built 1 Repeat a verse from Deut 
What were the people in the East accustomed to do 1 What is said in Joshua 
about the spies 1 What was done on the house-tops 1 



14 HOUSES. 

people were accustomed to make ^ themselves booths, 
every one upon the roof of his house, and in their 
courts.' The prophet Jeremiah tells us, that the Isra- 
elites sometimes offered incense to their idols on the 
roofs of their houses." (Jer. xxxii. 29.) 

"- And Peter, you know, father, went up to the roof 
at the house-top to pray." (Acts x. 9.) 

'' True, Harry. And Isaiah speaks of the inhabi- 
tants of a city having gone up 'to the house tops.^ 
Houses in the East are built ' with a court within, in- 
high place to the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the 
top of the house. 

26. And they rose early ; and it came to pass about the 
spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the 
house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, 
and they went out both of them, he and Samuel abroad. 

Jer. xxxii. 29. And the Chaldeans that fight against this 
city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the 
houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, 
and poured out drink offerings unto other gods to provoke me 
to anger. 

Acts X. 9. On the morrow, as they went on their journey, 
and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the house- 
top to pray about the sixth hour. 

Repeat two verses from Samuel. What was done at the Feast of the Taber- 
nacles 1 What does the prophet Jeremiah tell us 1 Repeat a verse from Jeremi- 
ah. What is said in Acts concerning Peter 1 What does Isaiah say I How 
are bouses built in the East 1 



HOUSES. 15 

to which, chiefly, the windows open ; those which 
open to the street are so obstructed with lattice-work, 
that no one, either without or within, can see through 
them. Whenever, therefore, any thing is to be seen 
or heard in the streets, any remarkable spectacle, or 
any alarm of a public nature, every one immediately 
goes up to the house-top, to satisfy his curiosity. In 
the same manner, when any one had occasion to make 
any thing public, the readiest and most effectual way 
of doing it was to proclaim it to the people from the 
house tops. The people all running to the roofs of 
the houses, is a lively image of a sudden general 
alarm. ^^ 

'' Dr. Pocock tells us in his Travels, that when he 
was at Tiberias in Galilee, he was entertained by the 
chiefs steward (as the chief himself was particularly 
engaged) ; and that, for coolness, they supped on the 
top of the house, according to their custom, and lodg- 
ed there likewise, in a sort of closet about eight feet 
square, of wicker-work, plastered round towards the 
bottom, but without any door, each person having his 
separate apartment. 

What do the people do if any thing- remarkable is to be seen or heard in the 
streets '? Where was a proclamation generally made to the people '? What 
presents a lively image of alarm in the East 1 What does Dr. Pocock say in 
his travels '* 

* Bishop Lowth. 



1$ HOUSES. 

"A more recent traveller informs us, that when in 
the East he often slept on the house-tops. ' We found,' 
says he, ' this way of sleeping extremely agreeable, 
as we by this means enjoyed the cool air, without any 
other covering than the canopy of the heavens, which 
presents itself in pleasing forms on every interruption 
of rest, when silence and solitude strongly dispose the 
mind to contemplation.' Mr. Barker, our Consul at 
Aleppo, was sleeping at the top of the house when the 
late earthquake happened; and from thence he de- 
scended into the street, without passing through the 
house. So, you see, houses in the East had often 
stairs, or fixed ladders, on the outside ; and for the 
convenience of going up and down within-side of the 
house, they had often a trap-door, or a lattice, with a 
covering, on the flat of the roof. 

** Dr. Shaw thinks that the expressions of the Evan- 
gelist, they let the paralytic down ' in the midst,' mean 
the court-yard round about which the house was built, 
and that Our Lord was preaching there. He suppo- 
ses that the bearers of the paralytic might carry him 
up the stairs, which commonly went from the gate- 
way, and having got to the flat roof, might take down 

What does a more recent traveller tell us 1 What happened to Mr. Barker 1 
How did he descend into the atreet 1 What conveniences have the houses in 
the East 1 What does Dr. Shaw think is meant in the Scriptures by * the 
midst V How does he supoose that the man sick of the palsy was let down 1 ^ i 



HOUSES. ^ 17 

inwards a part of the balustrade or parapet wall, and 
so let down the bed with cords by the side of the glaz- 
ed and perhaps painted tiles, which might beautify the 
walls of the house towards this court." 

'' They could easily get on such a house, father, and 
so let the poor man down 'in the midst." 

^' Truly, they could ; and you see how plain and 
natural the history now appears to you, though this 
morning it seemed so singular and strange. 

''Houses in the East are built of various materials ; 
some are formed of stone or brick ; but those of the 
poor are commonly of wood or of mud. The heat 
often cracks the walls which are formed of the latter 
material, and serpents frequently find a shelter in 
them. To this the prophet alludes where he says : 
* As if a man went into his house, and leaned his hand 
on the wall, and a serpent bit him." 

" It is said in the Gospels, that our Lord's disciples 
prepared an ' upper room' in which they might cele- 
brate the Passover. These, with us, are regarded as 
the meanest parts of the habitation ; but this is not 
the case in the East ; even to the present day, the up- 
per rooms are valued as the principal apartments." 

Of what materials are the houses of the East built 1 How do serpents find 
their way into the houses 1 What does the Prophet Amos say respecting ser- 
pents 1 In what part of the house did the disciples celebrate the Lord's sup- 
per 1 How is the upper part of a house regarded with us 1 How are upper 
rooms valued in the East 1 



18 HOUSES. 

^' Was their furniture, father, similar to our's ?'^ 
'' Certainly not, Harry. The walls of their rooms 
were often adorned with beautiful hangings of cloth, 
or silk of different colours , and the ceilings of their 
best mansions were sometimes painted, or gilt, or carv- 
ed. This is alluded to in Jer. xxii. 14. Hag. i. 4. 

"The floors of the dwellings of the rich are usually 
of tiles or plaster, and are covered with fine carpets. 
Mattresses and cushions are placed by the sides of the 
walls, on which any one may recline : these are refer- 
red to in Amos, vi. 4. Thus, also, we are told that 
Hezekiah, resting on his mattress or couch, turned his 
face from his attendants towards the wall when he 
prayed, 2 Kings, xx. 2. 

Jer. xxii. 14. That saith, I will build me a wide house, and 
large chambers, and cutteth him out windows : and it is ceiled 
with cedar, and painted with vermillion. 

Hag. i. 4. Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled 
houses, and this house lie waste. 

Amos vi. 4. That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch them- 
selves upon their couches. 

Kings 2. XX. 2. Thea he turaed his face to the wall, and 
prayed unto the Lord. 

How were the walls and ceilings of rooms adorned 1 Repeat the verses 
from Jer. and Hag. How are the floors of the best houses made, and with what 
are they covered 1 What are placed by the sides of the walls 1 Repeat a 
verse from Amos. What are we told of Hezekiah 1 Repeat a verse fi*on» 
Kings, concerning him. 



HOUSES. 19 

" Chairs are not used by the people in the East. 
They usually sit on couches, or carpets, or on skins. 
These also commonly serve them to sleep on, whilst 
they cover themselves with their garments. For this 
reason, a man was commanded to return the garment 
he had borrowed before night. — (Exod. xxii, 26. Deut. 
xxiv. 12.) 

" The furniture of the prophet's chamber (mention- 
ed, 2 Kings, iv. 10.) consisted only of a bed, which 
was most likely a sort of mattress on the floor, and ' a 
table, a stool, and a candlestick." 

^'But to return to the structure of buildings. Some 
houses mentioned in Scripture seem to have been of, 
a very peculiar construction ; such must have been 

Exodus xxii. 26. If thou at all take thy neighbor's raiment 
to pledge^ thou shalt deliver it unto him, by that the sun goeth 
down. 

Deut. xxiv. 12. And if the man be poor, thou shalt not 
sleep with his pledge. 

Kings 2. iv. 10. Let ns make a little chamber I pray 
thee, on the wall ; and let us set for him there a bed, and a 
table, and a stool, and a candlestick. 

What do the people in the East use to sit upon instead of chairs 1 What do 
they sleep upon 1 How do they cover themselves 1 What was a man com- 
manded to do with a borrowed garment 1 Repeat the verses from Exodus and 
Deut. Of what did the furniture of the prophet's room consist 1 Repeat a 
verse from Kings. What is said of the structure of buildings in the Scriptures 1 



20 HOUSES. 

the building which Samson pulled down on himself" 
and his foes. ' In considering what this fabric was,' 
says Sir Christopher Wren, ^ that could at one pull be 
demolished, I conceive it was an oval amphitheatre, the 
scene in the middle, where a vast roof of cedar beams, 
resting round upon the walls, centered all upon one 
short architrave that united two cedar pillars in the 
middle. The pillar would not be sufficient to unite 
the ends of at least one hundred beams, that tended 
to the centre ; therefore, I say, there must be a short 
architrave resting upon two pillars, upon which all the 
beams tending to the centre of the amphitheatre 
might be supported. Now, if Samson by his miracu- 
lous strength, pressing upon one of those pillars, mov- 
ed it from its basis, the whole roof must of necessity 
fall.' 

"- Dr. Shaw observes on this subject, that ' the East- 
ern method of building may assist us in accounting for 
the particular structure of the temple or house of Da- 
gon, and the great number of people who were buried 
in the ruins of it, by the pulling down of the two prin- 
cipal pillars. We read that there was a multitude of 
persons on the roof beholding while Samson made 
sport ; Samson must therefore have been in a court 

How must the bouse which Samson pulled down have been built 1 What 
does Dr. Shaw observe on this subject 1 



HOUSES 21 

below them. Several palaces and courts of justice in 
the East are built in such a way, that on their festi- 
vals and rejoicings a great qliantity of sand is strew- 
ed upon the area for the wrestlers to fall upon, whilst 
the roof of the cloisters round about is covered with 
spectators. I have often seen several hundreds of 
people diverted in this manner on the roof of the 
Dey's palace at Algiers, which, like many more of the 
same quality and denomination, hath an advanced 
cloister over against the gate of the palace, made in 
the fashion of a large penthouse, supported only by 
one or two contiguous pillars in the front, or else in 
the centre. In such open structures as these, in the 
midst of the guards and councillors, are the bashaws 
and other great officers assembled to distribute justice 
and transact the public affairs of their provinces. 
Here likewise they have their public entertainments, 
as the lords and others of the Philistines had in the 
house of Dagon. Upon the supposition therefore that 
in the house of Dagon there was a cloistered struc- 
ture of this kind, the pulling down of the front or 
centre pillars only, which supported it, would be at- 
tended with the like catastrophe to the Philistines." 

How are the palaces and courts of justice built in the East 1 Where do the 
Bashaws and other officers assemble to distribute justice 1 Where do they 
have public entertainments 1 



[ 22 ] 

BRICKS. 

" Pray, father, did you ever observe the brickma- 
kers, on the side of the hill, just as you come into the 
village ?" 

'' Yes, Harry ; I have often stood for a few moments, 
to remark with how much diligence and cheerfulness 
they labour." 

'' What hard and dirty employment it is ! I am sure 
I should not like it." 

'^We are not always to have just what we like, 
Harry. You would have liked, the other day, to have 
ridden the bay pony ; but I knew you could not man- 
age him ; and perhaps had I indulged you in your 
wishes, you might have been thrown off and killed. 
You see, the brickmakers do not think their work any 
hardship ; they seem very happy. It is a ground of 
thankfulness to a poor labourer, that he has plenty 
of profitable employment. And it is very pleasant to a 
benevolent mind, to observe, that such persons, though 
engaged in hard labour, seem to have as much enjoy- 
ment of life as ourselves. The good God has more 
equally diffused felicity among his creatures, than we 
are sometimes apt to imagine." 

"But, father, I looked at them, to see if they used 

Do those who work hard appear to enjoy life *? 



BRICKS. 23 

any straw ; you know, it is said that Pharaoh com- 
manded the children of Israel to make bricks without 
straw, and that this was a great hardship." 

" So it was, Harry, on many accounts, which I can- 
not mention now. But the bricks in Egypt were some- 
what different from ours. A quantity of straw was 
usually mingled with the clay." 

" I can't think of what use it could be, father." 

" I will tell you, Harry, somewhat about it. Do you 
recollect the command which Pharaoh gave to the 
task-masters whom he set over the children of Is- 
rael ?" 

" Yes ; he said, ' Ye shall no more give the people 
straw to make brick as heretofore : let them go and 
gather straw for themselves.' " 

" Well ; this was a plain proof that straw was then 
employed in making bricks. The Scripture account is 
confirmed by the statements of travellers. ' The east- 
ern bricks,' says Sir John Chardin, ' are only clay 
well moistened with water, mixed with straw, and 
dried in the sun.' So, it seems, that walls built with 
them would be little better than those built with beat- 
How did Pharaoh command the children of Israel to make bricks } How 
were bricks made in Egypt 1 What command did Pharaoh give to the task 
masters 1 What does this command prove 1 What are Eastern bricks made 
of? 



24 BRICKS. 

en earth, or mud, among- ourselves. Dr. Shaw tells 
us, that some of the Egyptian pyramids are made 
of brick, the composition whereof is only a mixture 
of clay, mud, and straw mixed up together, and after- 
wards baked in the sun. ' The straw which keeps 
these bricks together,' he adds, ' and which still pre- 
serves its original colour, seems to be a proof that 
these bricks were never burnt, or made in kilns.' 

''Another traveller, speaking of Cairo in Egypt, 
says, ' that the houses, for the most part are of bricks, 
which are only hardened by the heat of the sun, and 
mixed with straw to make them firm.' The Chinese, 
also, use much straw in making their bricks." 

" How much these accounts explain Scripture !" 

'' They do, Harry ; but they not only explain it, — 
they also prove the truth of it." 

'' But did you ever see any of these bricks, your- 
self?" 

" Yes ; many have been brought to England by trav- 
ellers, and are preserved in cabinets as curiosities." 

" And did the Israelites make bricks to build the pyr- 
amids ?" 

Of what are the bricks made of which some of the Egyptian pyramids are 
made 1 What does Dr. Shaw say of the straw which keeps the bricks together t 
How are the houses built at Cairo 1 Do the Chinese use straw 1 Have any 
of these bricks been seen at the present time 1 Did the Israelites make bricks 
to build the pyramids 1 



HOSPITALITY. 25 

^' It is not unlikely but that such was the case : at 
least, in reference to some of them." 
" What hard work it must have been !" 
" It must indeed have been a laborious occupation, 
especially to the Israelites, who were slaves ; and in- 
deed as you see it now is, Harry. Yet, you may ob- 
serve, that, as the persons are used to it, they do not 
find it unpleasant ; and, as they are not slaves, but are 
rewarded for their efforts, they do not feel them to be 
a burden. If Divine Providence has given us an easi- 
er task in life than others, we should be thankful ; yet, 
we should never think any thing beneath us, which is 
our evident duty, and by which we may be useful to 
our fellow creatures." 



HOSPITALITY. 

'' In the chapter which you read this morning, my 
dear father, we are told how readily Abraham received 
the three men who came to talk with him, and how 
willingly he made an entertainment for them." 

"- It is true : let us read the passage again ; it is a 
fine picture of hospitality in the earlier periods of the 

Was it a laborious occupation 1 Were tlie Israelites slaves 1 Repeat the 
Scripture story of Abraham and the three men. 



26 HOSPITALITY. 

world. The sacred historian tells us, that, as 'he sat 
in the tent-door in the heat of the day, he lift \ip his 
eyes and looked, and, lo ! three men stood by him ; 
and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the 
tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, and 
said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy 
sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant; 
let a little water, I pray you. be fetched, and wash 
your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I 
will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your 
hearts ; after that ye shall pass on. And they said, 
So do as thou hast said.' 

"• 'And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, 
and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine 
meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.' 

'' 'And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a 
calf tender and good, and gave it to a young man, 
and he hastened to dress it. And he took butter and 
milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it 
before them ; and he stood by them under the tree, 
and they did eat.'" 

"It would be very unpleasant now to have one's 
feet washed, the first thing, when we go into a 
friend's house,— would it not, father .'*" 

" Perhaps it would be inconvenient, to say the least, 
to most of us. But in the East, one of the first kind- 



HOSPITALITY. 2*7 

nesses to strangers is to wash their feet. That the cus 
torn is very ancient, is evident, because several instan 
ces of it are mentioned in the Odyssey — Homer says 

«* By God the stranger, and the poor are sent. 
And what to those we give to Him is lent ; 
Then food supply, and bathe his fainting limbs, 
Where waving shades obscure the mazy streams. 
Your other task, ye menial tribe, forbear ; 
Now wash the stranger, and the bed prepare !" 

" I scarcely think, father, that any one would now 
do as Abraham did." 

'' There is not the same occasion now, Harry, as 
then, for hospitality to travellers, except in some coun- 
tries, where there are few, if any inns, or houses, ap- 
propriated to the accommodation of travellers." 

" But we read of it many times in the Bible ; so it 
must then have been common." 

"True, Harry ; and, ' Be not forgetful to entertain 
strangers,' is a precept of the New Testament. Kind- 
ness to strangers seems a part of that universal be- 
nevolence which the divinely simple and beautiful re- 
ligion of the Bible inculcates." 

" Was any thing like this hospitality ever practised 
in our own country ?" 

Wljat is the first kindness performed to strangers in the East 1 Is tlie wash- 
ing of feet an ancient custom 1 What does Homer say of it 1 What precept 
is there in the New Testament, concerning the treatment of strangers 1 



188 HOSPITALITr. 

''Yes, Harry; the word LORD is a contraction of 
the Anglo-Saxon word Hlaford ; from hlaf, bread^ or 
loaf ; and ford, to supply or give out ; the term Lord, 
therefore, means, the giver of bread. Hence, Eng- 
lish noblemen are called lords, because they all used 
to keep open houses, into which strangers and vassals 
might enter and eat as much as they chose ; on this 
account they were called Lords^ or Givers of bread. 
Some of the most ancient families still keep up this 
custom." 

'' Well, I never knew what the term Lord meant be- 
fore. I shall always recollect its meaning ; it is so 
pleasing." 

" The narrations of travellers abound in specimens 
of hospitality, which they have met with in the East- 
ern part of the world. Tavernier says, ' When we 
were not above a musket-shot from Anna, a fine old 
man came up to me, and took my horse by the bridle ; 
'Friend,' said he, ' come and wash thy feet, and eat 
bread at my house. Thou art a stranger ; and since 
I have met thee on the road, do not refuse the favour 
I desire of thee.' We could not but go along with 
him to his house, where he feasted us the best manner 

Of what is the word Lord a contraction 1 What is the meaning of the Saxon 
word Hlaford 1 Why are English noblemen called Lords 1 What instance 
does Tavernier give of Eastern hospitality 1 



HOSPITALITY. 29 

he could ; and not only provided for us, but also for 
our horses.' 

'''When a stranger approaches an Arab village,' 
says La Roque, ' he signifies to the chief, that he wants 
a supper and lodging ; and he confers on him all that 
he wants. But often, as soon as the people see a stran- 
ger advancing, they go out to meet him ; if he wishes 
for refreshment, and then to go forward, he stays un- 
der some tree, and they bring him eggs, butter, curds, 
honey, olives, or fruit, either fresh or dried.' 

^' ' Whoever presents himself at their door,' says 
Volney, referring to the Druses, ' in the quality of a 
suppliant, or a passenger, is sure of being entertained 
with lodging and food in the most generous and unaf- 
fected manner. I have often seen the lowest peasants 
give the last morsel of bread they had in their houses 
to the hungry traveller. When they have once con- 
tracted with their guest the sacred engagement of 
bread and salt, no subsequent event can make them 
violate it.' 

" 'Nothing,' says Elphinstone, in his account of the 
kingdom of Caubul, ' could exceed the civility of the 
country people ; we were often invited into gardens, 
and were welcomed in every village by almost every 

What does La Roque say of Arabian hospitality 1 What does Volney relate 
of the Druses 1 How did the people of Caubul treat Elphinstone "? 



30 HOSPITALITY. 

man that saw us. Sometimes they would lay hold of 
our bridles, and not permit us to pass, till we had 
promised to breakfast with them on some future day, 
and confirmed the promise by putting our hands be- 
tween theirs." 

'' Did you say, father, that the people in the East 
make an engagement with strangers with bread and 
salt ?" 

'' Yes ; salt was often regarded as the emblem of 
friendship and fidelity : hence it was mixed with their 
sacrifices and covenants. 

" The divine Author of Christianity expects from his 
disciples universal benevolence ; and they all exemplify 
it, who are really what they profess to be. Hence, at 
the day of final reckoning, he has told us, that he will 
say to them, ' I was an hungred, and ye gave me 
meat ; I was thirsty, and ye ^ gave me drink ; I was 
a stranger, and ye took me in ; naked, and ye clothed 
me ; I was sick, and ye visited me ; I was in prison, 
and ye came unto me. Inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have 
done it unto me.' " 

" You often say that nothing is lost by kindness." 

^' True, Harry ; and I do think that this is the case : 

How was salt regarded by the people of the East '? What does Clirist expect 
from his disciples 1 What will he say to them at the last day 1 



HOMAGE. 31 

it may be laid down as a general rule. He who shows 
kindness to his fellow creatures, is sure to be repaid 
with kindness. The measure we mete to others, is 
very often, even in the present world, ' measured to us 
again.' And every benevolent individual has an im- 
mediate, and a most gratifying reward in his own 
bosom." 



HOMAGE. 



" How low that man bowed to you, father !" 

'^ He did, Harry ; though I never wish people to do 
so ; but when they do, I think it my duty carefully to 
return their courtesy." 

''Yes, I took notice ; you bowed almost as low as 
he did ; and the man was but a labourer, was he ?" 

''I believe not, Harry. Henry the Fourth of 
Prance, — who, by the way, was by far the best of the 
French kings, — was standing one day, with some of 
his courtiers, at the entrance of a village, and a poor 
man, passing by, bowed down to the very ground ; and 
the king with great condescension, returned his salu- 
tation just in the same manner ; at which one of his 

Will those be repaid who show kindness to tlieir fellow creatures 1 Relate 
the anecdote of Henry the Fourth* 



32 HOMAGE. ' 

attendants ventured to express his surprise, when the 
monarch finely replied to him, — '' Would you have 
your king" exceeded in politeness by one of the lowest 
of his subjects ?" 

'' The Scriptures frequently mention acts of homage, 
which are not common among us." 

'^ True, Harry ; yet they are still common in the 
East ; though, I think, their manners in this respect 
are not to be commended. Such humiliation as is 
there required by the great men from their inferiors is 
evidently improper from man to man ; we ought thus 
to humble ourselves before God, but not before our 
fellow-creatures. A free people will approach their 
sovereign with heartfelt respect and esteem, but not 
as if they were his abject slaves. Though the indi- 
vidual upon a throne be adorned with royal magnifi- 
cence, he is still but a man ; and no one ought to ap- 
proach him in the same way that he would enter into 
the presence of the Divine Majesty." 

'' Will you mention some of the instances in the 
Scripture which show the manner of the Eastern 
homage .'*" 

" There are many, Harry. When Joseph's brethren 
came before him, ' they bowed down themselves be- 

Is homage common in the East 1 Is it to be commended 1 Before whora 
ought we to humble ourselves. How ought a sovereign to be approached 1 



1 



HOMAGE, 3S 

fore him with their faces to the earth.' When a ser- 
vant had a favour to beg, Our Lord represents him as 
falling* down at his Master's feet ; and the inferior ser- 
vant as falling down before him who was in a higher 
station. So the Syrophenician woman fell down at the 
feet of our Lord. Thus the Prophet Isaiah represents 
the nations of the earth as coming, with all humility 
and gratitude, into the Church of God. ' With their 
faces to the earth,' he says, ^ they shall bow down to 
thee, and shall lick the dust off thy feei,'^ And in the 
72nd Psalm it is predicted that the enemies of Messiah 
^ shall lick the dust.' These expressions evidently are 
descriptive of deep humiliation." 

" I recollect, in that account which you lent me of 
Hugh Boyd's embassy to Ceylon, he says, that when 
he was called to visit the king, he knelt before him ; 
but he adds, 'My companions almost literally licked 
the dust ; prostrating themselves with their faces al- 
most close to the stone floor, and throwing out their 
arms and legs ; then, rising on their knees, they re- 
peated, in a very loud voice, a certain form of words 
of the most extravagant kind that can be conceived ; 
such as that the head of this king of kings might reach 

Mention some instances which show the manner of Eastern homage. What 
4oes Hugh Boyd say of his visit to the King of Ceylon '^ 

3 



S4 HOMAGE. 

beyond the sun ; that he might live a thousand years/ 
&c. What nonsense, father !" 

'' Nonsense indeed, Harry. The Persian monarchs 
never admitted any one into their presence who did 
not perform this act of adoration. Alexander, when 
he had conquered Asia, was so vain of his achieve- 
ments, that he too would be reverenced after the man- 
ner of the gods. His attendants, and those who came 
to converse with him, prostrated themselves before 
him. Mr. Harmer, from D'Herbelot, mentions a re- 
markable instance of the submission of a conquered 
prince to an Eastern monarch. 'This prince threw 
himself one day on the ground, and kissed the prints 
that his victorious enemy's horse had made there ; re- 
citing some verses in Persian which he had composed. 

" ^ The mark that the foot of your horse has left upon the 
dust^ serves me now for a crown, 

^' ' The ring J which I wear as the badge of my slavery ^ is 
become my richest ornament, 

'' ' While I shall have the happiness to kiss the dust from 
your feet J I shall think^ that fortune favours me with its tender- 
est caresses and sweetest kisses,^ " 

'^ What a slave he must have been, father t" 

What did the Persian monarchs exact from those admitted into their presence 1 
What did Alexander require when he had conquered Asia 1 What does Mr. 
Harmer relate 1 Repeat the verses composed by the conquered prince. ' 



HOMAGE. 35 

^' Surely he was ; but much allowance must be made 
for the difference in our manners and theirs. It is on- 
ly a few days since, that I was reading an account of 
an audience which the American missionaries had 
with the Emperor of Burmah ; it strongly proves that 
the revolution of centuries has made but little change 
in the manners of the Eastern world. They took as 
a present to his Majesty the Bible, in six volumes, cov- 
ered with gold leaf, and each volume enclosed in a rich 
wrapper. When they got to Ava, they petitioned to 
behold ' the golden face, '^^ 
"Golden face! father!" 

" Yes, the face of the Emperor is called golden — his 
feet are called golden^ and, indeed, every thing pertain- 
ing to him is called golden. ' At the outer court,' say 
they, ^ we were detained a long time, until the various 
officers were satisfied that we had a right to enter ; af- 
ter which we deposited a present for the private min* 
ister of state, and were ushered into his apartments 
in the palace yard. He received us very pleasantly, 
Bnd ordered us to sit before several governors and pet* 
ty kings, who were waiting at his levee. Some one 
now announced that the golden foot was about to ad- 
Has much change taken place in the manners of the Eastern world 1 What 
did the American missionaries take to the Emperor of Burmah 1 What did 
they ask to see 1 Who is said to have a golden face and golden feet 1 Relate 
thq account of the presentation of the missionaries to the Emperor of Burmah. 



36 HOMAGE. 

vance ; on which, the minister hastily rose up, and put 
on his robes of state, saying- that he must seize the 
moment to present us to the Emperor. He conducted 
us through various apartments of splendour and par- 
ade, until we ascended a flight of stairs, and entered a 
most magnificent hall. He directed us where to sit ; 
and taking his place on one side, had the present de- 
posited on the other. The scene to which we were 
now introduced really surpassed our expectation. The 
spacious extent of the hall, the number and magni- 
tude of the pillars, the height of the dome, the whole 
completely covered with gold, presented a most grand 
and imposing spectacle. Very few were present, and 
those evidently great officers of state. We remained 
about five minutes, when every one put himself into 
the most respectful attitude, and the chief minister 
whispered that his Majesty had entered. We looked 
through the hall, as far as the pillars would allow, and 
presently caught a glimpse of him. He came forward, 
unattended, in solitary grandeur, exhibiting the proud 
gait and majesty of an Eastern monarch. His dress 
was rich, but not distinctive ; and he carried in his 
hand the gold-sheathed sword, which seems to have 
taken the place of the sceptre of ancient times. But 
it was his high aspect and commanding eye that chief-! 
ly riveted our attention. He strided on ; every head. 



HOMAGE. 37 

excepting* ours, was now in the dust. He sat down on 
an elevated seat, his hand resting* on the hilt of his 
s-word, and his eyes intently fixed on us : then the 
minister presented our petition ; and, in a few moments 
said to us, ' In regard to the objects of your petition, 
his Majesty gives no order. In regard to your sacred 
books, his Majesty has no use for them ; take them 
away.' " 

'Ht is an interesting account, father ; but the sub- 
jects of the Emperor of Burmah must be all slaves ; 
are they not ?" 

'' Indeed they are, Harry. Christianity, whilst it 
teaches us to 'fear God and to honour the king,' discoun- 
tenances the idolatrous regard of one creature by an- 
other. When Peter came to visit Cornelius, he threw 
himself at the Apostle's feet ; but Peter nobly said to 
him, ' Stand up ; I myself also am a man !' " 

'' It is a delightful thought, that the greatest Being 
in the universe, — the only Being properly so called — 
He who is enthroned above all might, majesty, and do- 
minion, by whose power all creation is upheld every 
moment, and by whose smile it is made happy, is infi- 
nite in His condescension ; though the Heavens are 

What does Christianity teach us 1 What does it discountenance 1 What 
did Peter say to Cornelius 1 What reflections are delightful with respect to 
the Supreme Being 1 



38 SACRIFICES. 

His throne, and the earth is His footstool, He has declar- 
ed, that He will look to that man with complacency, 
and take up His abode with him, who is of a humble 
and of a contrite heart, and who trembleth at His 
word. Indeed, ' not a sparrow falleth to the ground 
without our Heavenly Father.' " 



SACRIFICES. 



'' Abel, it is said, brought of the firstlings of his 
flock to God ; did he sacritice them, father ?*' 

'^ No doubt but that was the case." 

'' But God did not bid him do so." 

'- There is indeed no express command to him to 
this effect. But when man became a rebel against his 
Maker, it is evident that, by divine appointment, he 
w^as to approach Him with sacrifices. If God had not 
directed him to do so, it can scarcely be imagined that 
he would ever have thought of it himself. The skins 
with w^hich the Almighty clothed our first parents, it 
is thought by most learned men, and with the greatest 

WTiat did Abel bring unto the Lord 1 Was man directed by God to offer sa- 
crifices 1 What is supposed of the skins that clothed our first parents 1 



SACRIFICES. 39 

probability, were from beasts which were offered in 
sacrifice." 

"But why were sacrifices instituted ?" 
" It was to remind men continually that they had 
sinned against God, and so deserved to die, like the 
victim which they were directed to offer ; and that, as 
the sacrifice was accepted, so the sinner should be ap- 
proved and pardoned through faith in that one great 
sacrifice, which, in the fulness of time, was to be made 
for the sins of men. You know who it was that was 
thus sacrificed, Harry. It is said of Him by the proph- 
et Isaiah, that ' He was wounded for our transgres- 
sions, and bruised for our iniquities ; that the chastise- 
ment of our peace was upon Him, and that by His 
stripes we are healed.' And the Apostle declares, 
that, ' He bare our sins in His own body on the tree.' " 
'' You refer, my dear father, to the Lord Jesus 
Christ .?" 

'' I do so. There does not seem any thing in the ap 
paintment of sacrifices worthy of the wisdom of God, 
unless this was the case." 

" But sacrifices were not confined to the Jews." 
'' True, they were not, — they were common among 
the Geutiles, who, as well as the Jews, received them 

Why were sacrifices instituted 1 What great sacrifices was made for the 
sins of men 1 What does the prophet Isaiah say of our Lord 1 Were sacrifi- 
vces confined to the Jews 1 



40 SACRIFICES. 

from Noah, the second father of the human race, who 
offered a burnt sacrifice to God on leaving the ark, 
which was accepted. They were always offered in 
the way of atonement, to appease the anger of God, 
and in the stead of the person or persons who offered ^ 
hence it is evident that they had their origin in the 
appointment of the Most High ; for had not the insti- 
tution been divine, the sacrifice could not have been 
efficacious." 

'' Do you recollect any instance in profane history, 
in which offerings were made of victims, similar to the 
sacrifice of Abel ?" 

" Homer and Virgil often speak of victims, being of- 
fered to propitiate or appease the gods." 

'' They do ; and the ancient Goths believed that the 
effusion of the blood of animals appeased the anger of 
their deities, and that their justice turned aside upon 
the victims those strokes which were destined for men. 
And as they imagined that the influence of the sacri- 
fice would be in proportion to the value of the victim^ 
they devoted human beings to bleed upon their al- 
tars. "=^ 

'' And, father, do you not recollect that RoUin tells 



Why did they sacrifice human beings 1 When did Noah offer sacrifices ta 
God 1 How were sacrifices offered 1 

* Mallet's North. Antiq. vol. i. p. 7. 



INNS. 41 

US, ill his history of the Carthaginians, that when the 
state was in great danger, they offered two hundred 
children of the best famihes to their god Saturn ?" 

'' Yes, I well recollect it. How thankful ought we to 
be that we need no other offering than that which God 
/himself has provided ! ' By this one offering,' says the 
Apostle Paul, referring to the sacrifice of the Lord Je- 
sus, ' He hath for ever perfected them that are sancti- 
fied.' "* 



INNS. 

^' I think, father, you said, the othe^r day, that there 
were no inns in the East ?" 

" No, Harry ; you must have mistaken me. I said, 
if I recollect rightly, that there were no inns such as 
there are in our country." 

" But it is said, in Gen. xliii. 21. that Joseph's breth- 
ren, when they came to the Inn, found their money in 



What sacrifice did the Carthaginians ofier to Saturn 1 AVhat does the 
Apostle say 1 Are there any inns in the East 1 Are they like those in our 
country 1 Where is mention made of inns in the Scriptures 1 

* Vide Magee on the Atonement, passim. 



42 



INNS. 



their sacks ; and in the second ch'apter of St. Luke's 
Gospel, we are told, that there was no room for the 
infant Saviour and his parents in the Inn." 

•^ You are right, Harry ; but still, it is true, that the 




inns in the East were and are very different from ours. 
They are called cararanseras ; and are of different kinds. 
Some are simply resting-places by the side of a foun- 
tain ; others consist of bare walls, which afford tem- 
porary shelter from wind or rain. Many, especially 
those in large towns, are square buildings, with a court 

What are the iims in the East called 1 Describe the diferent kinds of car- 



INNS. 43 

in the middle, encompassed with galleries and cham- 
bers all round, in which travellers may lodge ; but 
even these contain no furniture. It was most likely at 
such an inn, which was all pre-occupied, that the 
Lord of life and glory came into our world." 

"And are the Eastern caravanseras still the same 
sort of inns ?" 

'•^ I believe they are, Harry. Campbell tells us, that 
' such are built at proper distances through the roads 
of the Turkish dominions. In general, they are form- 
ed of solid and durable materials ; they have com- 
monly one story above the ground-floor, the lower of 
which is arched, and serves for warehouses to store 
goods, for lodgings, and for stables, whilst the upper 
is used merely for lodgings ; besides which, they are 
always provided with a fountain, and have cooks' 
shops, and other conveniences, to supply the want of 
lodgers. In Aleppo, the caravanseras are almost ex- 
clusively occupied by merchants, to whom they are let, 
like houses." 

''Well, are hot they like our inns, somewhat at 
least .?" 

^' The far greater part are by no means so good as 

those described by Mr. Campbell. Volney says, speaking 

— ___ __i _ 

What is likely concerning our Lord 1 How are the Eastern inns built at 
the present day 1 What of those of Aleppo 1 



44 INNS. 

of the East : ' There are no inns any where, excep- 
ting a caravansera for travellers near villages and 
towns. These consist of four wings round a square 
court, which serves by way of enclosure for beasts of 
burden. The lodgings are cells, where you find noth- 
ing but bare walls, dust, and sometimes scorpions. The 
keeper gives the traveller a key and a mat, and he 
provides himself the rest. He must therefore carry 
with him his bed, his kitchen utensils, and even his 
provisions, for frequently not even bread is to be found 
in the villages." 

- ^' These are very different from ours, indeed !" 
, " Truly they are. Tavernier says, ' The caravanse- 
ras, or Eastern inns, are very different from ours ; for 
they are neither so convenient nor so handsome : they 
are built square, much like cloisters, being usually but 
one story high, for it is rare to see one of two stories. 
A wide gate brings you into the court, and in the midst 
of the building, in the front, and upon the right and 
left hand, is a hall for persons of the best quality to 
associate together. On each side of the hall are lodg- 
ings for every man by himself. These lodgings are 
raised all along the court, two or three steps high ; 



How does Volney describe the Eastern inns 1 What must a traveUer carry 
with him 1 What does Tavernier say of the Caravanserai * 



KEYS. 43 

just behind which are the stables, where, many times, 
the accommodations are as good as in the chambers. 
Right against the head of every horse there is a niche, 
with a window into the lodging chamber, through 
which every man may see that his horse is properly 
looked after. These niches are usually so large, that 
three men may lie in them, and here the servants usu- 
ally dress their victuals.' You see, Harry, it is as I 
told you ; their inns are very unlike ours. How thank- 
ful ought we to be for the admirable accommodations 
of more civilized society ! 



KEYS. 

'^ Did you notice, father, what was said in my Greek 
lesson, this morning, about the key ?" 

" Yes, Harry ; I think the piece was from the twen- 
ty-first book of Homer's Odyssey ; and the key you re- 
fer to was that of the store-house of Ulysses." 

" But, I mean, did you observe what was said of the 
shape of it .'^" 

"Yes, I think Homer calls it by a term which signi- 
fies, ' of a large curvature.' The critics say, it was in 

What is said of the key mentioned in Homer's Odyssey 1 



46 



KEFS. 



shape like a reaping-hook. It was made of brass, but 
the handle was of ivory ; though the locks and keys 
in4he East are very commonly made of wood." 

'' Is there any reference to this kind of key in the 
Bible r 

''Yes, in the prophecies of Isaiah, God is represent- 
ed as saying of a distinguished individual ; ' I will lay 
the key of the house of David upon his shoulder.' " 

''A key, father, in the shape of a reaping hook, 
might be laid easily on the shoulder, as I have seen the 
reapers thus often place their sickles. But it WQuld 
be very strange if any one should talk of hanging any 
of the keys which we use upon the shoulder." 

" True, Harry ; and hence you see the great impor- 
tance of the knowledge of Eastern customs to a right 
understanding of the Scriptures. The language, as 
used by the Prophet, is figurative. The key is an en- 
sign of power. Thus Our Lord says of himself, that 
He hath 'the key of David :' that He 'openeth, and 
no man shutteth ; and shutteth, and no man openeth.' 
This plainly implies that His power in the invisible 
world is unlimited. This doctrine accords with his 
own declaration to his disciples after He arose from the 



What is said of a key in the prophecies of Isaiah 1 What was probably the 
shape of the key 1 Of what is a key the ensign in the Scriptures 1 



COVENANTS. 47 

dead ; 'All power, said He, 4s given to me in heaven 
and on earth.' How delightful to the real Christian 
is the consideration, that He who loves him with an 
infinite affection — yea, who has given Himself to die 
upon the cross for him, has in His hands ' the keys of 
the invisible worlds, and of death ;' ^ and that He has 
engaged to ' open the kingdom of Heaven to all be- 
lievers.' 



COVENANTS. 



When God made a covenant, or an agreement, with 
the Patriarch Abraham, he bade him take a heifer, 
atid a she-goat, and a ram, and divide them in the 
midst, and lay each piece one against the other. Gen. 
XV. 9. 10. Now here is the usual mode of making 

Gen. XV. 9. And he said unto him, take me an heifer of 
three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram 
of three years old, and a turtle dove and a young pigeon. 

10. And he took unto him all these and divided them in the 
midst, and laid each piece one against another ; but the birds 
divided he not. 

What does our Lord say of himself 1 What is implied by the words of our 
liord 1 What declaration did Jesus make to his disciples after he arose from 
the dead '? What consideration is delightful to the real Christian 1 What did 
God bid Abraham to do 1 Repeat the verses from Gen. 

* So Dr. Doddrige renders Rev* i. 18. 



48 COVENANTS. 

treaties or engagements in the East. A Jewish writer 
says, 'that it was a custom with those who entered in- 
to covenant with each other to take a heifer, and cut it 
in two, and then the contracting parties passed between 
the pieces." 

'' For what did they do this, father ?" 

'' No doubt, to intimate that if they were unfaithful 
to their engagements, they would be willing to be thus 
cut asunder, or to perish. Thus the Prophet Jeremi- 
ah represents the Almighty as saying, that He would 
give those into the hands of their enemies, who had 
transgressed his covenant which they had made be- 
fore him, ' when,' he says, ' they cut the calf in twain, 
and passed between the parts thereof.' " 

''But did not you say, that God made a covenant 
with Abraham ? It does not tell us, in that chapter, 
that God went between the pieces of the animals, 
does it .^" 

" Not in so many words ; but that which was equiv- 
alent to it took place. It is said, in the seventeenth 
verse, ' When the sun went down, and it was dark,' 
that 'a burning lamp passed between those pieces :' 
this was, no doubt, an expressive symbol of God's 

What does a Jewish writer say of coTenants 1 What was meant by it*? 
What does the Prophet Jeremiah represent the Ahnightv as saying 1 What js 
said in the 17ih verse of Gen. *? 



sehpents. 49 

presence. As a sacred writer expresses it, ' God is 
light, and in Him is no darkness at all.' '' 



SERPENTS. 



'^ What a large snake here is !" said Harry to his 
father, just as he passed through the gate into the 
orchard; ''but it is dead, and I am not afraid of it 
now." 

"It does not seem to have been long killed. If it 
had been alive, Harry, I hope you would have been 
more of a man than to be afraid of it. Snakes are 
harmless, and they always get away as fast as they 
can from any human being." 

" But I don't like to see them ; though the colours 
of the skin are beautiful." 

"There certainly is in man, Harry, a general enmi- 
ty to the whole race of serpents, which one scarcely 
knows how to account for, without thinking of the sad' 
history in the third chapter of Genesis. ' The enmi- 
ty,' says an excellent American writer,^ ' which has 

• What does a sacred writer say of God 1 Why does man feel an enmity to* 
wurds serpents 1 What does Dr. Dwight say of this enmity 1 

* Dr. Dwight. 



50 SERPENTS 

existed between mankind and the seed of the serpent 
has been, to the latter, a source of innumerable evils. 
Animals of this kind have ever been peculiarly hated 
and haunted, attacked and destroyed from the begin- 
ning. A war of extermination has plainly been de- 
clared against them, and carried on through all ages 
with unceasing animosity. In consequence of this 
hostility, millions of them have probably perished. 
And not a small number of the human race have fal- 
len victims to those venomous creatures, and been 
wounded in the heel, the very part mentioned in the 
third chapter of Genesis." 

''Is there any passage in the Scriptures which refers 
to serpents capable of illustration from Eastern cus- 
toms?" 

''Yes, Harry; there is one especially in the fifty- 
eighth Psalm, in which the writer says of the wicked, 
that 'they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her 
ears ; which will not barken to the voice of charmers, 
charm he never so wisely.' Here seems to be a very 
evident allusion to a practice which is still common in 
the East. The cobra de capella, or hooded snake, is 
a large and beautiful serpent, but one of the most ven- 
omous ; its bite generally proves mortal in less than an 

What is said of* the wicked in the 57th Psahn 1 Describe the hooded 
Snake. 



SERPENTS. 



51 



hour. It contracts, or enlarges its hood at pleasure. 
The centre of the hood is marked in black and white, 




like a pair of spectacles ; on which account it is called 
the spectacle snake. 

"Of this kind are the dancing snakes, which are 
carried in baskets through Hindoostan, and procure a 
maintenance for a set of people, who play a few sim- 
ple notes on the flute, with which the snakes seem 
much delighted, and keep time by a graceful motion of 
the head ; erecting about half their length from the 
ground, and following the music with gentle curves, 



How ate the dancing snakes affected by music 1 



52 SERPENTS. 

like the undulating lines of the swan's neck. It is a 
well-attested fact, that when a house is infested by 
snakes of this kind, which destroy poultry and small 
domestic animals, the musicians are sent for, who, by 
playing on a flageolet, find out their hiding places, and 
charm them to destruction ; for, no sooner do the 
snakes hear the music, than they come softly from 
their retreat, and are easily taken." 

''What a surprising account this is ! But do not the 
people sometimes get bViten *" 

" I will tell you. Wnen the music ceases, the snakes 
appear motionless ; but if not immediately covered up 
in the basket, the spectators are liable to fatal acci- 
dents." 

''What, do they ever bite any body .^ If they do, I 
should rather not see them dance." 

"I will tell you. 'Among my drawings,' says 
Forbes in his Oriental Memoirs, 'is that of a cobra de 
capella, which ds^nced for an hour on the table while I 
painted it ; during which I frequently handled it, to 
observe the beauty of the spots, and especially the 
spectacles on the hood, not doubting but that its veno- 
mous fangs had been previously extracted. But the 



WTiat is a well attested fact 1 What happens if the snakes are not covered 
up w hen the music ceases 1 What account does Forbes give of a hooded snake T 



SERPENTS* S3 

next morning, my upper servant came to me in great 
haste, and desired that I would instantly retire, and 
praise God for my good fortune. Not understanding 
his meaning, I told him that I had already performed 
my devotions. He then informed me, that whilst pur- 
chasing some fruit in the bazaar, he observed the man 
who had been with me on the preceding evening, en- 
tertaining the country people with his dancing snakes ; 
they, according to their usual custom, sat on the 
ground around him ; when, either from the music stop- 
ping too suddenly, or from some other cause irritating 
the vicious reptile, which I had so often handled, it 
darted at the throat of a young woman, and inflicted 
a wound of which she died in about half an hour." 

^' Forbes had a narrow escape !" 

•'Indeed he had. Venomous serpents cannot but 
be dangerous playthings. Yet the practice is contin- 
ued to this day. A very worthy and learned mission- 
ary, now in Calcutta, when at my house, assured me 
that the account I have now given you is correct. He 
has actually seen serpents, charmed by music, come 
forth from their hiding-places." 

What accident happened with one to a young woman 1 

* Mr. Yeates, author of an admirable Grammar of the Hiadoostanee, and 
of several other excellent and learned works. 



54 WHEAT. 

^' What did Our Lord mean when he said to his dis- 
ciples, ' Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as 
doves ?' Are serpents wise ?" 

" Many things have been affirmed on this subject, 
Harry, which I regard as fables. The tru,th, I think, 
is, that there is a peculiar liveliness in the eyes of 
serpents, so that ' as sharp-sighted as a serpent,' pas- 
sed into a proverb in the Eastern world. I regard 
Our Lord as saying, 'Be prudent as serpents in avoid- 
ing unnecessary dangers ; but be far from imitating 
the malignity and revengeful nature of that animal ; 
maintain at all times a holy simplicity of spirit, and be 
harmless and inoffensive as doves, those gentle crea- 
tures, who are remarkable for their affection."* 



WHEAT, BREAD, FRUIT, &c. 

" What a plentiful harvest God has given us !" said 
Mr. Benyon, as he sat on a gate with Harry, and look- 
ed over one of his corn-fields ; ''how ought our hearts 
to glow with gratitude to Him for his goodness !" 

What did our Lord say to his disciples *? What proverb is there in the East 
about serpents 1 What is our Lord thought to have meant, when he said * Be 
ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves 1 

* Doddridge in loc* 



WHEAT. SS 

^ ^* There has not been too much rain, as there was 
one year, to spoil it !" 

" True, Harry ! rain is a great blessing, when it is 
in season, and in measure. But too much rain, or too 
much sunshine, will alike ruin our hopes. You see 
how dependent we are upon God, even for our daily 
bread." 

'^ This ear, with so many grains in it, all came from 
one corn, — did it not ?" 

^' Yes : the blade, and the stem, and all the grains 
of wheat, with their fine covering, were all wrapt up in 
that little space." 

" But how do you know that ?" 

'' Because, if they had not been in it, they could not 
have sprung out of it. The earth has only expanded, 
and brought to maturity, what was already in the 
seed." 

^'How wonderful this is !" 

^' Yes, it is the work of a divine hand." 

"'And every one likes bread, father." 

'' True ; It is as agreeable to the old man, as to the 
little infant ; we never tire of it ; it is as fresh and as 
pleasant to-day as it was yesterday. There are a va- 
riety of tastes ; one is fond of an article which anoth- 

From what does an ear of wheat spring 1 What does the earth do to the 
3ced 1 Do all people like bread ^ 



56 WHEAT. 

er dislikes, but no one ever lived who did not relish 
bread." 

'^ And did you not say, father, that it would grow in 
every country and climate ?" 

^'Yes, Harry; and this is a kind appointment of 
Providence, and shews a tender care for the welfare 
of man." 

''Pharaoh dreamed 'that seven ears of corn came 
up on one stalk, rank and good.' This was only a 
dream, was it, father ?" 

" It Avas a dream, Harry. But yet, it is remarkable 
that there is a species of wheat in Egypt, which real- 
ly bears seven ears upon one stalk. Some of it has 
been cultivated in England, but it does not reach the 
perfection which it does in its native soil. No one 
would have even thought of one stem of wheat with 
seven ears on it. That there is such an article, and 
in Egypt too, is a striking proof of the truths of the 
Scriptures." ^ 

" Bread is spoken of very early in the Bible.' 

" Mention the first place you recollect where it is 
named." i 



Will it grow in every country 1 What did Pharaoh dream 1 What kind of 
wheat is there in Egypt 1 Can it be cultivated elsewhere 1 What affords, a 
striking proof of the truth of the Scriptures 1 



WHEAT. 



57 




" Hn the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 
till thou return to the ground.' " 

'' And I think the first place in any records in which 
the word Baker is mentioned, is in Genesis." 

^' The bread at that early period, father, could not 
have been like ours ?" 



How is bread first mentioned in the bible 1 Where is the word Baker first 
mentioned 1 



58 WHEAT. 

^ ' What makes you think so ?" 

'^ Because they made it so soon, and just as they 
wanted it, as appears from the feast which Abraham 
made for the three persons who called upon him." 

'^You are right, Harry. Their loaves appear to 
have been a kind of biscuit. Thus our Lord repre- 





sents a person requesting of his neighbor three loaves, 
for the entertainment of an individual, Luke xi. 5. 
Hence they are often called cakes. An Eastern trav- 
eller, describing a visit which he made to an Arab, 
says, ' The woman was not idle, but brought us milk 
and eggs to eat, so that we wanted for nothing : she 
made also some dough for cakes, which were of the 
thickness of a finger, and of the size of a trencher, — 
she laid them on hot stones, and kept turning them ; 
till at length she threw the ashes and embers over 

Luke xi. 5. And he said unto them, Which of you shall 
have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto 
him, Friend, lend me three loaves. 

Wliy was not the bread of an early period similar to ours 1 What does it ap- 
pear to liave been '? Repeat the verse from liuke. What does an Eastern 
traveller say of his visit to an Arab 1 



WHEAT. 69 

them and so baked them thoroughly. They were very 
good to eat, and very savoury." 

'' The food of the Jews was generally very simple. 
It consisted chiefly of vegetables, milk, honey, rice, 
and bread." 

''Sometimes the corn was parched, or roasted, and 
then eaten without any other addition, as appears evi- 
dent from many passages of Scripture," Levit. xxiii. 
14. 2 Sam. xvii. 28. 

'' In addition to honey, John the Baptist is said to 
have fed on locusts." 

" Canaan, you know, father, was a land ' flowing 
with milk and honey.' " 

''It was; though meat was eaten occasionally; 
principally at the time of their national festivals, or 
provided to honour some superior guest. Thus Abra- 

Levit. xxiii. 14. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched 
corn, nor green ears, until the self same day that ye have 
brought an offering unto your God : it shall be a statute for ev- 
er throughout your generations in all your dwelHngs. 

2 Sam. xvii. 28. They brought beds and basons, and earthen 
vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn and 
beans and lentiles, and parched pw/se. 

What was the food of the Jews 1 What appears from passages of Scripture 1 
Repeat the verses from Levit. and Sam. On what did John the Baptist feed 1 
Wkat is said of Canaan 1 When was meat eaten 1 



60 WHEAT. 

ham, Gideon, and Manoah prepared a calf or a kid for 
their angelic visitants. When Samuel expected a visit 
from Saul, he procured for him a joint of meat," 1 
Sam. ix. 24. 

'' But they were not permitted to eat every kind of 
meat :'■ 

'• They were not. Yet what was denied them, was 
chiefly such as was unfriendly to health, and unsuita- 
ble to the climate. Their common drink was water, 
though they sometimes took wine, especially at their 
feasts. Much appears to have been drank at the mar- 
riage in Cana of Galilee, where the Lord turned the 
water into wine.*' 

'' In those hot and dry countries water is of very 
great value. Hence, when Caleb gave his daughter 
a portion, springs of water are very particularly men- 
tioned, Judges i. 15. Thus our Saviour intreated wa- 

1 Sam. ix. U. And the cook took up the shoulder, and 
that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel 
said, Behold that which is left I set it before thee and eat : for 
unto this time hath it been kept for thee, since I said, I have 
invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day. 

Judges 1.15. And she said unto him, Give me a blessing . 

What did Abraham, Gideon, and Manoah prepare, 1 Repeat the verse frcwa 
Samuel. What meat was denied to the Jews ? What was their commoo 
drink 1 When was wine much drank 1 \Miere is water of much value 1 Re- 
peat the verse from Judges 1 



WHEAT. 61 

ter of the woman of Samaria ; and the most desirable 
blessings are represented in the Scriptures by a figura- 
tive allusion to water. Psalm Ixiii. 1. John vii. 37. 
Isaiah xii. 3. xliv. 3. Jer. ii. 13. Zech. xiii. 1. 1 
Cor. X. 4. 

for thou hast given me a south land ; give me also springs of 
^ater. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether 
springs. 

Psalms Ixiii. 1. God, thou art my God ; early will I seek 
thee ; my soul thirst eth for thee, my flesh lorigeth for thee in a 
dry and thirsty land where no water is. 

John vii. 37. In the last day that great day of the feast, Je- 
sus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come 
unto me, and drink. 

Isaiah xii. 3. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of 
the wells of salvation. 

Jer. ii. 13. For my people have committed two evils ; they 
have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed 
them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. 

Zech. xiii. 1. In that day, there shall be a fountain opened 
to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for 
sin and uncleanness. 

Cor. x. 4. And they did all drink the same spiritual drink ; 
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and 
that Rock was Christ. 

Of whom did our Saviour ask wtter 1 Repeat the verses fi'om Scripture al- 
luding to water. 



[ 62 1 



OVENS. 

^^ You know, father, it is said that the frogs, which 
were one of the plagues of Egypt, got into the ovens. 
How could they get up ?" 

'' I am not surprised at your question, Harry. Wick- 
ed men have sneered at the Scriptures on this very 
account. This, however, is only a proof of their ig- 
norance. In various parts of the East, instead of 
what we call ovens, they dig a hole in the ground, in 
which they insert an earthen pot, which having suffi- 




ciently heated, they stick their cakes to the inside, 
and, when baked, remove them, and supply their pla- 
ces with others, and so on. Frogs, Harry, could easi- 
ly get into such ovens as these." 

What is said of frogs in the Scriptures 1 Why have wicked men sneered 1 
How are ovens made in the East 1 



OVENS* 6S 

^' This makes the meaning clear." 

''But the methods of baking their bread in the East 
are various^ Dr. Shaw says, that ' in cities and villa- 
ges, where there are public ovens, the bread is usually 
leavened ; but in other parts, as soon as the dough is 
kneaded, it is made into thin cakes, which are either 
immediately baked upon the coals, or in a shallow 
earthen vessel like a frying pan.' Another traveller 
informs us, ' that the Arabs about Mount Carmel make 
a fire in a great stone pitcher, and when it is heated, 
mix meal and water, which they put on the outside of 
the pitcher, and this soft paste, spreading itself upon 
it, is baked in an instant, and the bread comes off as 
thin as our wafers." ' 

'' There is no part of the world in which the people 
have bread superior to our own ; and there are but 
few places in which it is equally good. God is perpet- 
ually feeding us, as He fed his ancient people, 'with 
the finest of the wheat.' His abounding goodness 
should awaken our liveliest gratitude." 

How is bread baked in the East 1 How do the Arabs bake bread 1 



[ 64 ] 

ORNAMENTS. 

^^ The prophet Isaiah gives a curious account, in his 
third chapter, of the dress of the Jewish women ; I 
wish you would tell me all about it, as some part of 
what he says appears very strange." 

'' I cannot promise, Harry, to tell you all about it ; 
but perhaps if we talk over the subject, and refer to 
those who have travelled in the East, we shall under- 
stand the account better. What do you refer to par- 
ticularly ?" 

''Why, he says, they made 'a tinkling with their 
feet :' how was that ?" 

''That is clear; — they used to wear ornaments of 
gold, or silver, or other metals, on their ankles. Rau- 
wolf tells us that the Arab women, whom he saw in going 
down the Euphrates, ' wore rings about their legs and 
hands ; and sometimes a good many together, which, 
in their stepping, slipped up and dov\^n, and so made 
a great noise.' — ' In Persia and Arabia,' says Sir John 
Chardin, ' they wear rings about their ankles, which 
are full of little bells. Children and young girls take 



' WTiat prophet gives an account of the dress of the Jewish women *? What 
made a tinkling of the feet in the women of the East % What does Ranwolf 
tell us 1 What does Sir John Chardin say 1 



ORNAMENTS. 65 

a particular pleasure in giving them motion ; with this 
view they walk quickly.' " 

^'It seems too, father, that the Eastern women wore 
large rings in their ears, as well as around their 
ankles." 

'' They did, and do to this day. Travellers tell us 
there is a variety of ornaments for the ear. ' Some 
of the Eastern ear-rings are so small, and go so close 
to the ear, as leave no vacuity between them ; others 
are so large as to admit the fore-linger between ; these 
are adorned with a ruby between two pearls strung on 
the ring.' — ^I have seen some of the larger ear-rings,' 
Bays Sir J. Chardin, 'with figures upon them, and 
strange characters which, I believe, may be talismans 
or charms. The Indians say that they are preserva- 
tives against enchantments. Perhaps the ear-rings of 
Jacob's family, which he buried with the strange gods, 
were of this kind.' " Gen. xxxv. 4, 

" Another traveller assures us that the rings in the 

Gen. xxxv. 4. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods 
which were in their hand, and all their ear-rings which were in 
their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by 
Shechem. 



Describe some of the Eastern ear-rings. Wiiat do tiie Indians say of them f 
Repeat a verse from Genesis. What does a traveller tell us -1 

5 



66 ORNAMENTS. 

ears of the chief's wife of a valley near Mount Sinai, 
were of silver, and of so great a circumference, that a 
person might have put his hand through them. 

''Forbes, in his Oriental Memoirs, gives a very cu- 
rious description of the dress of a Hindoo lady. ' Their 
dress,' he says, 'is peculiarly becoming, consisting of 
a long piece of silk or cotton tied round the waist, and 
hanging in a graceful manner to the feet ;.it is after- 
wards brought over the body in negligent folds ; under 
this, they cover the bosom with a short waistcoat of 
satin. Their long black hair is adorned with jewels 
and wreaths of flowers ; their ears are bored in many 
places, and loaded with pearls ; a variety of gold 
chains, strings of pearl, and precious stones fall from 
the neck over the bosom, and the arms are covered 
with bracelets from the wrist to the elbow ; they have 
also gold and silver chains round the ankles, and abun- 
dance of rings on their fingers and toes ; among the 
former is frequently a small mirror. I think the richer 
the dress, the less becoming it appears ; so that a 
Hindoo woman of distinction always seems to be over- 
loaded with finery.' " 

"There are very strange things, father, among^ 
these ornaments, which you have not noticed ; they are 

Give Forbes's description of the dress of a Hindoo lady. 



ORNAMENTS. 67 

nose-jewels. Did ever any body wear jewels in the 
nose ?" 

'' Certainly ; it was a very ancient custom, and it is 
in fashion in some parts even to the present day, 
among women in all classes of society. A traveller 
describing his wife, says, that 'she adorns herself 
with all kinds of rubies, emeralds, and pearls, as the 
manner is in the East, with the exception of certain 
ugly rings of very large size, set with jewels, which, 
in truth, very absurdly, it is the custom to wear fasten- 
ed to one of their nostrils like buffaloes ; though it is 
an ancient custom in the East, which, as we find in 
the Scriptures, prevailed among the Hebrew ladies 
even in the time of Solomon. These nose-rings, in 
complaisance to me, she has left off; but I have not 
yet been able to prevail with her cousin and sister to 
do the same ; so fond are they of an old custom, be 
it ever so absurd, who have been long habituated to it.' 

'' Bishop Lowth observes, from Chardin, 'that it is 
the custom in almost all the East, for the women to 
wear rings in their noses, in the left nostril, which is 
bored low down in the middle. These rings are of 
gold, and have commonly two pearls with one ruby be- 



Were nose-jewels formerly worn 1 Is it the fashion at present in tlie East 1 
How does a traveller describe his wife 1 What does Bishop Lowth observe 1 



68 



ORNAMENTS. 



tween them, placed in the ring. ' I never saw,' says 
this traveller, ' a girl or a young woman in Arabia, or 




in all Persia, who did not wear a ring after this man- 
ner in her nostril.' " 

'' 1 should not like a lady, if she were ever so fine, 
who had a ring in her nose." 

"- Perhaps not, Harry ; but it must appear pleasing 
in the eyes of the people of the East, or they would 
not wear them. Nose-jewels, strange as they seem ta 
us, are of very great antiquity. Moses informs us 
that Isaac's servant put on Rebekah, after she had 
conversed with him at the well, ' a golden ear-ring of 



Do all the women of Arabia and Persia wear nose-rings 1 What did Isaac'^ 
servant put on Rebekah 1 



RICE. 69 

half a shekel weight, and two bracelets on her hands 
of ten shekels weight of gold.' " 

''But it does not appear that he gave her any nose- 
jewels ; and only one ear-ring ; which is very odd. 
you know, for every body has two ear-rings." 

'' True, Harry : and from hence it seems almost cer- 
tain that it was not an ear-ring which was given to 
Rebekah, but, as it is said in the margin, ' a jewel for 
the forehead.' And as the word is in the singular 
number, it is in a high degree probable, to say the 
least, that it was a nose-ring, or jewel." 

'' It does seem so, indeed. I did not notice the rea- 
ding in the margin." 

'' This we should always do, for it is often more lit- 
eral than the text ; and not unfrequently it throws 
great light upon the real meaning." 



RICE. 



As Harry and his father were again walking the 
next evening in the corn-fields, and looking at the 



What was the ear-ring probably that was given to Rebekah 1 Is the margin 
in the Bible of much use 1 



70 RICE. 

reapers, Harry inquired, — ''is not rice a kind of 
wheat ?" 

" It may be so regarded," replied his father, ''as it 
furnishes bread for by far the greater part of the hu- 
man race." 

"Does it?" exclaimed Harry, with a countenance 
full of wonder at the information. 

" Yes, it is cultivated and eaten, more or less, in all 
parts of the Eastern world ; yet the manner of its pro- 
duction differs from that of wheat. ' It is sown,' as a 
French traveller informs us, 'in Lower Egypt, from 
the month of March to May. During the inundation 
of the Nile, the fields are covered by its waters, and, 
in order to detain them there as long as possible, a sort 
of raised embankments are thrown up around each 
field, to prevent them from running off. Trenches 
serve to carry thither a fresh supply ; for, in order to 
make the plant thrive, its roots must be incessantly 
watered. The ground is so moistened, that, in some 
• places, a person sinks in half-way up to his chin. Rice 
is nearly six months before it comes to maturity ; and 
it is generally cut down by the middle of Novem- 
ber.'" 

Of what use is rice to mankind 1 Where is rice sown 1 What happens dur- 
ing the inundation of the Nile 1 How is the water kept upon the fields 1 
How long is rice coming to maturity 1 When is it cut 1 



RICE. 



11 



^'The prophet Isaiah says: — 'Blessed are ye who 
sow your seed in every well-watered place.' — ' This 
exactly,' says Sir J. Chardin, ' answers to the manner 
of planting rice ; for they sow it upon the water ; and 
as they sow the rice in water, so they transplant it in 
water.' — ' The rice grounds,' says the late Dr. E. D. 
Clarke, ' are inundated from the time of sowing near- 




ly to harvest. The seed is commonly cast upon the 
water. When the rice plants are about two feet high, 
they are transplanted.' " 

'' Well, father, this is indeed, as you said, very much 
unHke wheat." 

''Yes ; ' Some lands produce three crops in a year ; 
vegetation is so quick, that as fast as the water rises, 
the plants of rice grow above it, so that the ear is nev- 

What does the prophet Isaiah say 1 How is rice sowed 1 What does Dr, 
Clarke say of the rice grounds 1 What is said of the growth of rice 1 



tZ RICE. 

er immersed. Men of experience affirm, that a single 
stalk will grow six cubits in one night.' 

" This subject explains a beautiful passage in Eecle- 
siastes ; "^ Cast thy bread,' says the wise Man, ' upon 
the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.' 
Som^e have thought that the sacred writer here meant, 
that if any one literally threw bread into the river, 
they should find it again after a considerable lapse of 
time. This would not be likely, for the fowl, or the 
fish, or both, would assuredly devour it. But he who 
throws the seed-rice into the waters will, after many 
days, not only find again what he cast from his hand, 
but such a vast increase as will abundantly recom- 
pense his labours. So, no benevolent efforts to do 
good to mankind shall be lost, but shall assuredly in 
time, by the blesshig of God, produce fruit to his glo- 
ry, and the real welfare of our fellow-creatures. Thus 
the philanthropist — he who is engaged in the instruc- 
tion of the rising generation, and the faithful minister 
of the Gospel, are all casting their bread upon the 
waters, which they shall certainly find again after 
many days. This view of things is not only just, but 
encouraging and delightful." 



What passage of Scripture is explained by the sowing office "? What have 
some people thought "? What will hs find who throws rice seed upon thewaterT 



[ T^3 ] 

EATING FLESH WITH THE BLOOD. 

'^ When God made a covenant with Noah after the 
Flood, father, He told him not to eat flesh with the 
life, that is, the blood, in it." 

" True, Harry ; and the disciples, in the New Tes- 
tament, were charged to abstain from eating ' things 
strangled, and from blood.' " 

''But why, father? Do you think any one would 
ever eat live flesh ?" 

'' Certainly I do. There is even reason to believe 
that the practice, shocking and inhuman as it is, still 
prevails in the East. Mr. Bruce says ; ' Not long af- 
ter we lost sight of the ruins of the ancient capital of 
Abyssinia, we overtook three travellers driving a cow 
before them ; they appeared to be soldiers. We saw 
that our attendants attached themselves in a particu- 
lar manner to the three soldiers who were driving the 
cow, and held a short conversation with them. Soon 
after we arrived at the hithermost bank of the river, 
where, I thought, we were to pitch our tent, the dri- 
vers suddenly tripped up the cow, and gave the poor 

What did God tell Noah when he made a covenant with him '? What were 
the disciples charged in the New-Testament 1 What shocking custom still pre- 
vails in the East 1 What account does Mr. Bruce give of the Abyssinians 1 



74 EATING FLESH. 

animal a very rude fall upon the ground, which was 
but the beginning of her sufferings. One of them sat 
across her neck holding down her head by the horns ; 
the other twisted the halter about her fore-feet ; while 
the third, who had a knife in his hand, to my very great 
surprise, gave her a very deep wound in the upper 
part of the buttock. From the time I had seen them 
throw the beast upon the ground, I thought they were 
going to kill her, and to sell a part of the meat to us. 
But my people told me that they were not going to kill 
her ; this awakened my curiosity ; I let my people go 
forward, and stayed myself, till I saw, with the utmost 
astonishment, two pieces, thicker and longer than our 
ordinary beef-steaks, cut from the higher part of the 
buttock of the beast. It was done very skilfully, but 
I cannot tell how." 

"Oh how shocking! and so, I suppose, the poor 
cow bled to death !" 

''No, she did not ; though it was a most inhuman 
practice. I will read the remainder of Mr. Bruce's 
account. ' The skin,' he says, ' which had covered the 
flesh which had been taken away, was left entire, and 
flapped over the wound, and was fastened to the cor- 
responding part by two or more small skewers or pins. 
Whether they put any thing under the skin, between 
that and the wounded flesh, I know not ; but at the riv- 



EATING FLESH. 76 

er side, where they were, they prepared a cataplasm, 
or plaster of clay, with which they covered the wound. 
They then forced the animal to rise, and drove it on 
before them, to furnish them with a fuller meal when 
they should meet their companions in the evening.' " 

^^But does any other traveller besides Bruce men- 
tion this circumstance ?" 

'^ The question, Harry, is a very proper one ; we 
may well desire testimony upon testimony, to prove 
what appears so unnatural and extraordinary. In this 
case we have what we desire. Mr. Salt, in his voyage 
to Abyssinia, mentions some soldiers, who had got pos- 
session of several head of cattle ; he says, they had 
fasted many hours, and had still a considerable dis- 
tance to travel. One of them proposed cutting a steak 
from the thigh of the cow ; this was assented to. 
They then laid hold of the animal by the horns, threw 
her down, and proceeded, without any farther ceremo- 
ny, to the operation. This consisted in cutting out two 
pieces which might weigh about a pound. As soon as 
they had taken these away, they sewed up the wounds, 
plastered them over with cow-dung, and drove the an- 
imal forwards, whilst they divided the steaks among 
the party." 

What does Mr. Salt say of some soldiers in Abyssinia % 



76 EATING FLESH. 

" How cruel ! And what became of the poor cow at 
last ?" 

'' They drove her before them, and though she 
walked somewhat lame, she nevertheless managed to 
reach the camp ; and immediately after their arrival 
she was killed and consumed for their supper." 

'' If there were not good proof of it, one could 
scarcely believe that any one could act in this way." 

''I allow, that one could not. Bruce's narrative 
was, for some time, generally discredited. There were 
few persons who did not regard it as his own invention, 
to see how far he could impose on the credulity of his 
countrymen. Now it is as generally believed. Sir 
W. Jones, writing from India, says, ' There is an 
Abyssinian here, who knew Mr. Bruce at Gondar ; I 
have examined him, and he confirms Bruce's ac- 
count."^ 

^'But, surely, there is no account of any one men- 
tioned in Scripture acting in this way ?" 

''I fear there is, Harry. Turn to 1 Sam. xiv. 32 ; 
read that and the two or three following verses ; 

'' 'And the people flew upon the spoil.' " 

Was Bruce's narrative generally believed 1 What does Sir W. Jones say 1 
Repeat some verses from Samuel 1 

* Works, vol. ii. p. 33. 



EATING FLESH. 77 

^' That is, after they had defeated the Philistines, 
and were very hungry and faint. Well, go on." 

'' ' And took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew 
them on the ground ; and the people did eat them with 
the blood.' " 

''That, you know, was forbidden expressly in the 
covenant which God made with Noah. And this 
seems, to say the least, very much like the Abyssinian 
plan. But finish the account." 

'' ' Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people 
sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood. 
And he said. Ye have transgressed ; roll a great stone 
unto me this day.' " 

'' He meant, on which they might properly slaugh- 
ter the cattle." 

"'And Saul said. Disperse yourselves among the 
people, and say unto them. Bring me hither every man 
his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, 
and eat ; and sin not against the Lord in eating with the 
blood. And all the people brought every man his ox 
with them, and slew them there.' This does look like 
it, father ; but not quite like it, for it is said that the 
people ' slew' the cattle." 

" I am not sure that they really did so. I rather 

What was forbidden in God's covenant with Noah 1 Repeat other verses. 



78 NAPKIN 



think that they maimed them, after the manner of the 
Abyssinians ; especially as the remark of Bruce is a 
just one, that • a very few years after this, the Abys- 
sinians came from Palestine, and carried witTi them 
this and many other Jewish customs, which have con- 
tinued among them to this day.' " 



NAPKINS. 



One day, when Harry had seen his father washing 
himself, and wiping his face very particularly, as he 
was accustomed to do, with a napkin, he said, '' Fath- 
er, there is an odd account in an old book on your study 
table, of an emperor of Morocco, who never used nap- 
kins to wipe himself with." 

'' What then did he use, Harry ?" 

" A boy's head." 

'' What, Harry ? A boy's head ! That would be a 
strange kind of napkin." 

" Shall I fetch the book ?" 

" Do, and let us hear it." 



What does Bruce say of the Abyssinians 1 What did the Emperor of Mo- 
rocco use for a napkin 1 



/ NAPKINS. 79 

Harry reads, ^' When Diego de Torres, the Spanish 
Ambassador, in 1547, first dined with the Emperor of 
Morocco at his court, he was amused by the customs 
of the table. Neither knives, forks, nor spoons were 
provided ; but each person helped himself with his fin- 
gers, and cleaned his hands with his tongue, except 
the Emperor, who wiped the hand he took his meat up 
with, on the head of a black boy, ten years old, who 
stood by his side. The Ambassador smiled ; and the 
Emperor, observing it, asked what Christian kings wip- 
ed their hands with at meals ? ' Fine napkins,' was the 
reply. ' What are such things worth ?' inquired the 
monarch. ' A clean one at every meal would cost five 
shillings, or more,' said the Ambassador. ' Don't you 
think this napkin much better,' rejoined the Emperor, 
wiping his hand again on the black boy's head, which 
is worth seventy or eighty crowns ?' " 

'^A fine napkin, truly. This is indeed a singular 
account, Harry. I don't wonder that it caught yoiir 
attention ; yet there are many things on record of a 
similar kind, in ancient history. You know* that there 
are various parts of the East, where, even to the pres- 
ent day, people of quality use their hands at their 
meals, and know nothing of knives or forks." 

Give an account of the Spanish ambassador's dinner with the Emperor* 
What is done at the present day in many parts of tlie East 1 



80 NAPKINS. 

''But do you recollect any thing like the story of 
the Emperor of iNIorocco, which I have read this morn* 
ins- ?" 

'' No, Harry, not immediately ; but there are allu- 
sions in Scripture, of which that account reminds me." 

" Will you mention some of them r" 

" In the fifteenth chapter of Matthew you will find 
an account of a woman of Canaan coming to our Lord, 
and asking his merciful interposition on behalf of her 
daughter ; but he said to her, that ' it was not meet, 
to take the children's bread, and to cast it to the dogs ;' 
meaning, that it was not proper at that time to give 
the privileges of the Jews, or of the people of God, to 
the Gentiles. Do you recollect what her reply was on 
that occasion ?" 

" She said, ' Truth, Lord ; yet the dogs eat of the 
crumbs which fall from their master's table.' " 

'' You are right, Harry ; and here, I think, we have 
an allusion to a custom in the East. They did not 
anciently use napkins, but were accustomed to wipe 
their fingers and hands with the soft part of the bread, 
which they afterwards, or at the moment, threw to 



What will you find in the 15th chapter of Matthew 1 What did Jesus say to 
the woman of Canacin 1 What answer did she make ? What allusion to a 
custom in the East do we find in this answer 1 



NAPKINS, 81 

the dogs. Homer alludes to this custom in his ' Odys- 
sey.' 

* As from some feast a man returning late, 
His faithful dogs all meet him at the gate ; 
Rejoicing round some morsel to receive : 
Such was the good man ever wont to give.* " 

'' In the striking" parable of Dives and Lazarus there 
is an alUision, most likely, to the same practice. Do 
you recollect what the poor afflicted man, who lay at 
the proud rich man's gate, desired to be fed with, 
Harry ?" 

" Yes ; ' with the crumbs which fell from the rich 
man's table.' " 

" True ; and no doubt these, in ancient times, were 
much more than the crumbs which fall from our's, 
which, you know, would not be worth desiring; no 
doubt the offal bread, with which they wiped their 
hands, and which was thrown away under their 
tables, is alluded to ; as this must have been con- 
siderable, and would have been sufficient to pre- 
serve any poor creature from starving. More than 
enough is often still wasted in a wealthy family, 
amply to supply the entire wants even of a poor 



"What does Homer say of this custom in the Odyssey 1 What did the poor 
man wish to be fed with at the rich man's gate 1 What were the crumbs prob- 
ably that fell from the tables 1 



82 BOdEl^. 

household. How should every one, for the pur-^ 
poses of benevolence, if on no other account, practi- 
cally obey our Lord's admonition, ' Gather up the frag- 
ments which remain, that nothing be lost.' We are 
sare that he does not feel as he ought, who has no 
compassion for the poor and the wretched. Surely, in 
this respect, as in all others, the divine precept, ' Do 
to others, as you would have them do to you,' should 
regulate our deportment." 

'^ Memorable are the lines of one of our own 
poets,^ — 

«« No radient pearl which crested Fortune wears ; 
No gem that twinkling hangs from Beauty's ears ; 
Nor the bright stars which night's blue arch adorn, 
Not rising suns that gild the vernal mom, 
Shine with such lustre,— as the tear that breaks 
For others woe, down Virtue's manly cheeks !'* 



BOOKS AND WRITING. 



Harry, one day, when walking with his father, 
said, " You have not told me any thing lately about 
the Eastern customs." 

What is our Lord's admonition 1 Repeat another divine precept. Repeat 
some, of Dar wins' lines. 

* Darwia. 



BOOKS. 8S 

^* Have I not ? Then it is your own fault." 

" My own fault, father ?" 

" Yes, Harry ; because I have assured you, that 
whenever you find any allusion to them in the Bible, I 
will explain them to you ; and you know that this is 
always a great pleasure to me." 

'' But there have not been any such allusions in the 
chapters which you have lately read in the family." 

" I think you mistake, Harry ; or you have not ob- 
served with care. But you should search the Scrip- 
ture in private for yourself. It is a good plan which 
some excellent persons have pursued, to commit some 
interesting verse to memory every morning : this, in a 
year, would amount to no small portion of Scriptural 
instruction." 

" I often do so, father." 

" Well, I had hoped such was the case, Harry. 
Your ever-dear mother always did so. Yet, as I said, 
you are mistaken in s\ipposing that there is no allu- 
sion to Eastern objects and customs in the chapter 
which I read at family devotion this morning. There 
is a very interesting one. Come, let us read a verse 
or two again. 'And there was delivered unto Him the 



What is a good plan as regards the Scriptures 1 JR«peat some versos from 
Luke. 



84 



BOOKS. 



book of the prophet Isaiah, and when he had opened 
the book, he found the place where it was written, 
^ The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath 
anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor.' And 
he closed the book, and gave it again to the minister, 
and sat down." 

'' What do you refer to here, father ? I do not find 
any allusion to the peculiar customs of the East." 

"Here are several, Harry. The one. however, 
'which I refer to, would not be noticed by a mere Eng- 
lish reader ; it is the form of books in ancient times. 
The Greek words, translated in our version, opened^ 
and olosed^ literally mean, unrolling, and rolling up the 
volume ; as books were then written on parchments 
which were rolled up on a sort of staff. Many of these 
books are yet to be seen, especially among the Jews." 

'^ I should not have thought of this. I wish you 
would tell me more about it ; and how they used to 
write and make books, before printing was invented.'^ 

" Pieces of board, covered over thinly with wax, 
were much used to write on. Leaves of trees were 
also extensively employed ; as also the inner bark of 
the lime-tree, which the Romans called libcr^ the Latin 



What do tlie words opened and closed mean 1 What were books written 
on in ancient times 1 What were used to write upon 1 



300KS. ^ 

word, you know, for a book. In the rolled up form, 




they were called volumen ; hence our word volume is de- 
rived. The Anglo-Saxon word hoc, from whence our 
term book is derived, means a beech-tree. Parchment, 
or the skins of animals polished by the pumice stone, 




What is the latin for book ^ What were these writings called when tb^ 
were roUed up I From what is our word book derived . 



86 BOOKS. 

was used, to preserve documents of value. There is a 
celebrated manuscript, the Gothic translation of the 
Gospels, called 'Codex Argenteus ;' or, ' The Silver 
Book ;' because the letters are all of silver, except the 
initials, which are of gold. But writing with the let- 
ters of an alphabet is not the only kind of writing 
which has prevailed." 

''No ! Why how could any one write without let- 
ters .^" 

''I will tell you, Harry. By signs and pictures. 
The North American Indians used thus to preserve ac- 
counts of their wars, and of different events which 
took place among them. These records, however, 
were, of course, exceedingly imperfect. The ancient 
Mexicans also had a similar method of writing, but 
more perfect and ingenious than that of the Indians. 
Robertson, in his admirable work on the History of 
America, tells us, that the servants of their monarch 
sent to him pictures of all the Spaniards, and of their 
horses, fire-arms, tents, and so on." 

'' And were not the hieroglyphics which we saw at 
the British Museum the other day, of the same kind.'^'^ 

What was used to preserve valuable documents 1 What manuscript is there 
called the Silver Book 1 What other way of writing is there besides that of 
letters \ How were the records of the American Indians made 1 Wliat mode 
of writing had the ancieat Mexicans 1 Wliat does Robertson tell us 1 



BOOKS. 87 

^' They were. They were the work of the Egyp- 
tians. The two celebrated pillars, of which you have 
seen drawings, called Cleopatra's Needles, which are 
seven feet square, and a hundred feet high, are on 
each side covered with them ; and the figures are cut, 
and with the nicest art, an inch deep in the hard gran- 
ite. This method of writing could not be so accurate 
as ours ; and yet, perhaps, it was more so than we 
might imagine. They had symbols, the meaning of 
which was generally well known. Thus a sword was 
used for a warrior, or cruel tyrant ; an eye represented 
God, who sees all things ; a sceptre, a king ; a lion, 
courage ; armies were depicted by hands with weap- 
ons in them ; and a serpent, with its tail in its mouth, 
meant eternity. 

" The Chinese writing is somewat similar. They 
have no alphabet, but different characters for each 
word. These signs, in many instances, have some 
resemblance, real or imaginary, to the things for which 
they are used. There are said to be more than fifty 
thousand words in the Chinese language, for each of 
which there is a different symbol." 



What nation makes use of hieroglyphics '? What are Cleopatra's Needles 1 
What symbols had the Egyptians 1 What is the manner of writing among the 
Chinese 1 How many words are there in the Chinese language 1 



8S BOOKS. 

" How much more simple it is to form all our words, 
as we do, out of twenty-four letters !" 

"It is." 

" How were words first found out ?" 

'' Your question is somewhat difficult, Harry. It is 
in a very high degree probable, to say the least, that 
God taught our first parents the use of language, as He 
gave appropriate names to the different tribes of ani- 
mals. It is said by the Greek and Roman writers, 
that the Phenicians first invented letters. They 
might, as they were a commercial people, first make 
them known to other nations ; but it is very likely that 
they derived them from the Jews, as their country 
was so near to that of the Hebrews. 

''^The earliest mention of writing in the Scriptures, 
and, of course, in the annals of the world, for there 
are no records of more ancient date, is in several pas- 
sages of the Book of Exodus. In the first, (Exod. 
xvii. 14.) God commands Moses to write in a book an 

Ex. xvii. 14. And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for 
a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, for 
I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under 
Heaven. 

Of what is our alphabet composed 1 Who probably taught our first parents 
the use of language 1 Who first invented letters *? From whom was the knowl- 
edge of letters probably derived 1 Where is the earliest mention of w^Uing 
made in the Scriptures 1 Repeat a verse fromExodus^ 



account of the defeat of Amalek, arid of His determin- 
ation to manifest His displeasure against that wicked 
people. The second passage is Exod. xxiv. 4, in which 
we are told, that ' Moses wrote all the words of the 
Lord.' The third is, Exod. xxxi. 18, where it is said, 
that God gave the two tables of the law to Moses, 
which were written on tables of stone by ' the finger 
of God.'" 

'' Writing upon stones, of which the tables given to 
Moses were the first specimen, so far as we know, ap- 
pears to have been common afterwards in every age, 
and among most nations. Thus Job exclaims : ' 
that my words were written in a book ; that they 
were engraven with an iron pen, and lead, in the rock, 
for ever !' (Job xix. 23, 24.) Very long inscriptions 
are still found on the stones of the ruins of the most 
ancient cities in the world. Travellers aswsure us that 
in the neighbourhood of Mount Sinai there are moun- 
tains and rocks of considerable size, which are cover- 
ed with writing, but which, on account of the injury, 
it has sustained from the lapse of years, cannot now 
be decyphered. 



What is said in the second and third passage 1 What appears to have been 
a common mode of writing among most nations 1 What is said of it in Job 1 
What are found on ruins in ancient cities 1 Of what do travellers assure us 1 



90 



BOOKS. 



"You will recollect also that Samuel, when he had 
gained a great victory over the Philistines, took a 
stone, and set it up in a public place, and wrote on it 




the word Eben-ezer, which means Hhat he wished to 
acknowledge in the fullest way he could, that he had 
gained that advantage, not by his own might or wis- 
dom, but by the help of God. (1 Sam. vii. 12.) 



1 Samuel, vii. 12. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it be- 
tween Mizpeh and Sheu, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, 
saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 

What did Samuel do after his victory with the Philistines 1 Wliat does the 
word £bea-ezer mean 1 



BOOKS. SI 

'^ The apostle Paul, referring to the law, as written 
by the finger of God on tables of stone, tells us, that 
these divine precepts are written by the Holy Spirit 
of God on the heart of every real Christian. (2 Cor, 
iii. 3.) It should be the subject of our constant sup- 
plications that they may be thus engraven. Each one 
should say, 'Write all these thy laws on our hearts, 
Lord, we humbly beseech thee !' 

'^ In very early periods, we read of records on lead. 
Inscriptions are also found on many of the bricks which 
are still picked up where Babylon once stood. The 
Romans preserved their laws and records on tablets 
of brass. 

''It appears from the Scriptures, that the prophets 
sometimes wrote upon tables of wood." 

"But when did they first make paper ?" 

2 Cor. iii. 3. Written not with ink, but with the Spirit of 
the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of 
the heart. 



What (hies the apostle Paul tell us 1 Repeat a verse from Corinthians. 
What should be om* constant supplication and prayer 1 What do we read of in 
very early periods 1 What are found on bricks picked up where Babylon oiice 
stood 1 How did the Romans preserve their acts and records 1 What appeal:! 
from the scriptures 1 Of what was paper first made 1 



92 fiooKs. 

"That is uncertain, Harry. We know that it was 
first composed of the papyrus, the celebrated rush of 
the Nile, from whence it derives its name. There 
was, however, a manufactory of paper at Memphis, 
at least three hundred years before the time of Alexan- 
der. The Romans, in after ages, made it perfectly 
white and smooth." 

''What an useful rush the papyrus must have been !'* 

" It was. It not only supplied the Egyptians with 

paper, but they procured a sort of sugar from its juice ; 

the harder parts of the plant were made into cups, 

and ribs of boats ; the softer parts were formed into 

ropes, sails, cloth, shoes, strings, and wicks for lamps. 

The Egyptian reeds were also generally used for pens." 

" What an useful invention paper was !" 

" It was indeed ; a work of any size written on bark, 

or on boards, spread over with wax, must have been 

very inconvenient." 

" Why, father, it would have filled a wagon !" 
"Well, I suppose it would. But for ages the papy- 
rus furnished the world with paper ; and near the 
close of the eleventh century, paper began to be made 
with linen rags." 

What was made at Memphis 1 What did the Romans afterwards do 1 Of 
what other use was the papyrus 1 Why was the making of paper an useful ia^ 
vention 1 When was paper first made of rags 1 



BOOKS. 18 

"^^ The book that our Lord unrolled must have beea in 
writing ?" 

t' Certainly." 

" Then, were they not very dear, as it would take a 
great while, you know, to write out a book ?" 

''They were. In the reign of our Alfred, in the 
ninth century, a bishop was obliged to go to Rome to 
buy books ; ' for one of which the king gave him eight 
hides of land, or as much land as eight ploughs could 
till.' Stow informs us, that, in 1274, a Bible sold for 
33Z. 65. 8rf. Archbishop Ussher tells us, that in 1429, 
the price of one of Wickliffe's Testaments was 21 18s, 
Sd, ; which the good bishop remarks, is as much as 
will now (in 1630) buy forty." 

'' It would buy many more now, father." 

'' It would ; according to the rate at which I bought 
them for our charity-school, it would buy one hundred 
and thirteen." 

"Well, what a difference !" 

"Dr. Henry, the historian, might well remark, no- 
ticing this subject, that none but kings, bishops, and 
abbots could be possessed of any books ; which is the 

Were writings clear in ancient times 1 Wiuit did king Alfred give a bishop 
in return for a book 1 What does Stow tell us 1 What was the price of one 
of Wicklifle's Testaments 1 How many books would the sum have purchased 
in 16£0 1 How many would it buy now 1 Who were the sole possessors of 
books in ancient times 1 



94 BOOKS. 

reason that there were then no schools but in kings* 
palaces, bishops' sees, or monasteries." 

"But are there any books in the form of rolls now, 
father ?" 

'^ Yes ; Dr. Buchanan assures us, that he had seen 
among the Jews, in Malayala, an ancient copy of the 
Law, written on a roll of leather; it was about fifteen 
feet long ; the skins were sewed together. And there 
are many manuscripts of this kind, especially among 
the Jews." 

" Printing was a fine invention, father." 

" It was, indeed ; we have great reason to be thank- 
ful for it. By its means books are multi[)Ued to any 
extent, and are made accessible to all. No man is so 
poor but he may have a few books ; and especially he 
may have the Book of Books, Harry; you know what 
that is." 

"The Bible." 

" I never think of the noble art of printing, without 
calling to my recollection the quaint though expressive 
language of old Fox, the martyrologist, on the subject. 
' Hereby,' says he, ' tongues are known, knowledge 



WTiat people have books in the form of rolls 1 Why is printing an useful in- 
tention ] What is called the Book of Books 1 Repeat the langiha^e of Fox on 
the art of printing. 



BOOKS. 95 

groweth, judgment increaseth, books are dispersed, 
the Scripture is seen, the doctors be read, stories be 
opened, times compared, truth discerned, falsehood 
detected, and with finger pointed, and all through the 
benefit of printing. Wherefore, I suppose, that the 
Pope must abolish printing, or seek a new world to 
reign over ; or else, as this world standeth, printing 
doubtless will abolish him. But the pope, and all his 
college of cardinals must understand this, that through 
the light of printing, the world beginneth now to have 
eyes to see, and heads to judge. He cannot walk so 
invisibly in a net, but he will be spied. And although, 
through might, he stopped the mouth of John Huss 
before, and of Jerome, that they might not preach, 
thinking to make his kingdom sure ; yet, instead of 
John Huss and others, God hath opened the press to 
preach, whose voice the pope is never able to stop, 
with all the puissance of his triple crown. By this 
printing, as by the gift of tongues, and as by the sin- 
gular organ of the holy Spirit, the doctrine of the Gos- 
pel soundeth to all nations and countries under Heav- 
en ; and what God revealed to one man is dispersed to 
many ; and what is known to one nation, is opened to 
all.' " 



[ 96 ] 



FEASTS AND MEALS. 

^' The parable which you read this morning appears 
singular, father." 

'' What do you refer to, Harry ?" 

'' Why, the sending to call in the poor, and the 
maimed, and the blind, and the halt, to the feast. 
Nothing like this ever occurs among us." 

" True, Harry ; and on this account it may appear 
singular to us ; but this is no reason why it should seem 
so in the East, the country in which the Scriptures 
were written." 

^' Certainly not, as you have shewn in a great many 
instances," 

^^ '' And the picture which our Lord draws, of a king 
sending for the poor and the wretched to a feast, is not 
so unlike what really happens in the East, as we are 
ready to imagine. Pococke speaks of the admission of 
the poor to the tables of the rich. In his account of 
a great entertainment, made by the governor of an 
Egyptian village for the Cashif with whom he travel- 
led, he says, ' The custom was, for every one, when 

What custom in the East appears singular to us 1 What does Pococke say 
of the admission of the poor to tlie tables of the rich 1 



FEASTS AND MEALS. 97 

he had done eating", to get up, wash his hands, take 
a draught of water, and so, in a continual succession, 
till the poor came in, and ate up all, for the Arabs nev- 
er set by any thing which is brought to table. When 
they kill a sheep, they dress it all, call in their neigh- 
bours, and the poor, and finish every thing.' This 
celebrated traveller afterwards mentions what is still 
more surprising : in giving an account of the diet of 
the Eastern people, he informs us, ^ that an Arab prince 
will often dine in the street before iiis door, and call to 
all that pass, even beggars, in the name of God ; who 
obey the invitation, sit down, and when they have 
done, retire with the usual form of returning thanks.' "* 
'' How different this is to any thing we meet with." 
"It is, certainly, somewhat so. But our Lord seems 
•to have approved such a line of conduct ; you recol- 
lect, that the parable you have noticed is introduced 
by a very striking admonition to remember the poor. 
' When thou makest a dinner, or a supper,' says our 
Lord, ' call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither 
thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours, lest they also 
bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But 

What do the Arab princes often do 1 Wnat admonition does oiir Lord giTe 
concerning the poor 1 

* Harmer, vol. ii. 125i 

7 



98 FEASTS AND MEALS. 

when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, 
the lame, and the blind ; and thou shalt be blessed ; 
for they cannot recompense thee ; but thou shalt be 
recompensed at the resurrection of the just.' 

^' It was very common among the people in the East, 
when they particularly wished to honour a guest, who 
had been invited, to send a larger portion to him than 
to any other person ; thus Joseph sent five times as 
much to his brother Benjamin as to any of his breth- 
ren. (Gen. xliii. 34.) It is still regarded as a distinc- 
tion of value, to have any portion from the table of a 
monarch, or of a great man. When a celebrated trav- 
eller dined in the presence of an Eastern sovereign, 
he was thought to be greatly honoured, because the 
king tore off a handful of meat from the joint, and 
sent it him. A Dutch ambassador,^ in similar circum- 

Gen. xliii. 34. And he took and sent messes unto them 
from before him ; but Benjamin's mess was five times so much 
as any of their's. And they drank and were merry with him. 



What was common among the people of the East 1 Repeat a verse from 
Genesis. What is still regarded as a distinction 1 Howwasa tiaveller thought 
to be greatly honoured by an eastern prince 1 What were sent to a Dutch am- 
bassador from the Emperor s table 1 

* Van Braam. 



FEASTS AND MEALS. 99 

Stances, mentions it as a mark of great honour, that 
some bones of mutton, with half the meat gnawed off 
them, were sent him from the table of the Emperor. 
Several nations do not, to this day, use knives and 
forks as we do. 

'' We read, that Abraham prepared the feast for the 
angels under the shade of a tree. Gen. xviii. 8. They 
often in the East still take their meals out of doors. 
The people generally dine about noon ; but supper, as 
was the case among the Jews, is often the principal 
meal, Mark vi. 21. Martha and Mary invited our 
Lord to a supper, John xii. 2. Luke xiv. 16. The 
communion of the Saviour with those who love him, 

Gen. xviii. 8. And he took butter and milk and the calf 
which he had dressed, and set it before them. And he stood 
by them under the tree, and they did eat. 

Mark vi. 21. And when a convenient day was come, Herod 
on his birth-day made a supper to his lords, high captains, and 
chief estates of Galilee. 

John xii. 2. There they made him a supper, and Martha 
served. 

Luke xiv. 16. Then said he unto him, a certain man made a 
great supper, and bade many. 

Repeat a verse from Genesis. Where do the people in the East frequently 
lake their meals 1 What is often the principal meal 1 Repeat verses from 
Mark, John, Luke, and Revelation. 



TOO FEASTS AND MEALS. 

is described as a supper, Rev. iii. 20. The feast of 

the Passover was also celebrated in the evening." 
'' The Jews would not eat with every one, father ?" 
" True ; they were very particular on this subject. 
But how did you know this, Harry ?" 

'^ In the sermon on Sunday morning, about the wo- 
man of Samaria, the preacher read the passage, that 
the Jews did not eat with the Samaritans, John iv. 9, 
But why would they not do so ?" 

'' No doubt but they had some good reason. It is 
probable, that the Samaritans mingled some idolatrous 
rites with their meals, in which the worshippers of the 
true God could not join without offending Him, It 
was on this very ground that Peter objected to go and 



Rev. iii. 20. Behold I stand at the door and knock ; if any 
man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to hinj 
and will sup with him and he with me. 

John iv. 9. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him^ 
How is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink of me which am 
a woman of Samaria ? for the Jews have no dealings with the 
Samaritans. 



When was the feast of the Passover celebrated ? Wculd the Jews eat with 
every one '? Repeat a verse from John. Why would the Jews not eat witkth&' 
Samaritans 1 



FEASTS AND MEALS. 101 

preacli the gospel to the Gentiles, Acts xi. 3 — 8. The 
Jews were accustomed to break the vessels and cast 
them away, which had been touched by an unclean 
animal ; this indeed was according to the divine com- 
mand, Levit. xi. 33. Dr. Clark tells us, that having 
been one night entertained very hospitably by a fami- 
ly in the East, he returned to his host the next morn- 
ing, for a book which he had left the preceding even- 
ing ; he found him and his family busily engaged in 
breaking the plates and dishes out of w^hich his friends 
had eaten, and purifying other articles by passing them 
through water or fire. No doubt but these ceremo- 
nies were originally designed to keep the Jews at a 
distance from the neighboring nations, that they might 
not be infected with their abominable idolatries." 

Acts xi. 3. Saying, Thou wentest into men uncircumcized, 
and didst eat with them. 

8. But I said, not so Lord ; for nothing common or unclean 
hath at any time entered into my mouth. 

Levit. xi. 33. And every earthen vessel whereinto any of 
them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean ; and ye shall 
break it. 

Repeat a verse from Acts. What were the Jews accustomed to do 1 Repeat 
a verse from Leviticus. What does Dr. Clark tell us 1 For what were the 
Jewish ceremonLes probably designed 2 



102 FEASTS AND MEALS. 

" Our Lord gave thanks before he broke the bread : 
do the Jews do so now ?" 

'' Yes, all of them, who have the smallest preten- 
sions to piety. Before they come to their meals, they 
still wash their hands, as the Evangelists inform us 
they used to do. Then the master takes a loaf of 
bread, and as he breaks it, he says, ^Blessed art thou, 
Lord our God, the King of the World, who produ- 
cest bread out of the earth ;' to which all present say, 
' Amen !' And then the bread is distributed. The chief 
person then takes the vessel of wine, and says, ' Bles- 
sed art thou, Lord our God, King of the World, who 
hast created the fruit of the vine.' Then the twenty- 
third Psalm is repeated. At the close of the meal, the 
master fills a glass of wine, and takes a piece of bread, 
which has been laid by for the purpose, and says, 
' Let us bless Him, of whose benefits we have parta- 
ken.' The guests reply, 'Blessed be He who hath 
heaped favours on us, and has now fed us on His good- 
ness.' The head of the family then prays God to re- 
store Jerusalem, the Temple, and the throne of David to 



What do the Jews do before their meals *? WTiat does the master say as he 
breaks the loaf of bread 1 What when he takes the Tessel of wine 1 What 
psalm is then repeated 1 What does the master do at the close of the meal ? 
What reply do the guests make 1 What prayer does the head of the %mily 
make 1 



PRESENTS. 103 

their former glory, and especially to send the Messiah to 
raise them from their low and degraded condition. To 
which the whole company add their Amen ; and they 
finish the ceremony by repeating the ninth and tenth 
verses of the thirty-fourth Psalm." 



PRESENTS. 



*' Harry, you may now show me the presents which 
your uncle was so kind as to send you. I had not 
leisure to notice them when they came, last evening. 

" Well, — a Bible ! And a most beautiful edition of it 
too. I hope, my dear boy, you will read it with care, 
and value it for the giver's sake, but more especially 
for its own worth. That is, as Young says, 

' A page, where triumphs immortality !' '* 

^' Uncle William has written a verse in the blank 
leaf." 

" So he has ; I did not observe it. What is it .'*" 

' " A glory gilds the sacred page, 

Majestic like the sun ; 
It gives a light to every age, — 

It gives, hut borrows none.' " 

How is the ceremony concluded 1 What does Young sav of the Bible 1 Re- 
peat a verse of Cowper's . 



104 PRESENTS. 



(; 



That is a verse of Cowper's ; very suitable and 
very true ; for there is not an idea in the world, of 
God, or of divine things, at least, at all worthy of 
them, but it came from this hallowed source. This is 
evident ; or how can it be accounted for, that the phi- 
losophers of Greece and Rome, many of them men of 
mighty minds, knew not God, but worshipped Hhe 
creature ;' and gods of wood and of stone, more than 
the Creator, 'who is God over all, blessed for ever ?' 

'' But you have something else, have you not, 
Harry ?" 

'' Yes ; a microscope." 

" That is a very pretty present ; and it will furnish 
you with perpetual employment and gratification. You 
will indeed see, what I have so often told you, that 
God is as great and glorious in the minutest of His 
works as in the greatest. But you have been up some 
time, have you not Harry ? What have you been 
doing ?" 

'' I have been reading in my new Bible. '^ 
'' What part have you been reading ^^ 
'' About Jacob, and his sending a present into Egypt, 
though it was but a poor one ; it was not worth so 



What is the source of our knowledge of divine things 1 WTiat will a persoB 
see iu the use of the telescope 



PRESENTS. log 

much as my microscope and Bible. He said, Take 
now ^ a present ; a little balm, and a little honey, spi- 
ces, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds,' and 'go a gainto 
the man.' That was, to Joseph, who was in Egypt, 
though they did not know him. 

" Travellers tell us, that even the poor in the East 
do not visit without a present ; either a flower, a few 
radishes, or dates, or fruit of some kind. Thus the 
Queen of Sheba did not visit Solomon, without bring- 
ing with her costly presents. 

''As soon as guests arrived, water was brought to 
wash their feet and their hands. Gen. xviii. 4 ; xix. 2. ; 
and it appears that they were not unfrequently anoin- 
ted with fragrant oil. Psalm xxiii. 5. Hence Mary 

Gen. xviii. 4. Let a little water I pray you be fetched, and 
wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. 

Gen. xix. 2. And he said, Behold now my lords, turn in I 
pray you into your servants house and tarry all night and wash 
your feet, and ye shall rise up early and go on your ways. 

Psalm xxiii. 5. Thou preparest a table before me in the 
presence of my enemies ; thou anointest my head with oil ; my 
cup runneth over. 

What present did Jacob send to Joseph 1 What do the poor do in the East 
when they viisit 1 What did the Queen of Sheba do when she visited Solomon 1 
What was done on the arrival of guests 1 Repeat some verses from Genesis. 
What was frequently done 1 Repeat a verse from Psalms. 



106 PRESENTS. 

Magdalen broke an alabaster box of precious oint- 
ment, and poured it on the head and feet of our Lord. 
Simon, the master of the house, seems not to have 
received him in the respectful manner he ought, and 
according to the usages then common in society. 
Hence the Redeemer said to him, ' Seest thou this 
woman ? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no 
water for my feet ; but she hath washed my feet with 
her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 
Thou gavest me no kiss ; but this uoman^ since I came 
in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil 
^/low didst not anoint ; but this wjoman hath anointed my 
feet with ointment.' 

"Presents ever were, and still are, very common in 
the East, when persons visit each other, especially 
when they have audience of those of quality. Hence 
many instances of this kind occur in Scripture. Thus 
it is said that ' the kings of Tarshish and of the Isles 
shall bring presents : the kings of Sheba and Seba 
shall offer gifts.' " 

" It does not say to whom, father." 

" Yes, the Psalm does ; to Messiah. Maundrell 



What did Mary Magdalen do 1 How did Simon receive our Lord 1 What 
did the Redeemer say to him 1 Are presents still common in the East 1 WTiat 
does it say in a verse of Scripture 1 



PRESENTS. 107 

says ' After dinner we went to wait upon Ostan, the 
Basha of Tripoli ; having first sent our present to pro- 
cure a propitious reception. It is counted uncivil in 
this country to visit without an offering in the hand. 
All great men expect it, as due to their character and 
authority, and look on themselves as affronted, and in- 
deed defrauded, when this compliment is omitted. 
Even in familiar visits amongst inferior people, you 
shall seldom have them come without bringing a flow- 
er, or an orange, or some other such token of their 
respect to the person visited." 

" I was reading, yesterday, in Rollin, father, of a 
singular sort of present which the Scythians sent to 
Darius ; it was a bird, a mouse, a frog, and five ar- 
rows. The Persian king thought, that by these em- 
blems they meant to give up to him their country and 
their weapons of war." 

'' And was that their meaning . 

" No ; one of his grandees explained the present 
very differently. ' Know,' said he, 'that unless you 
can fly away in the air, Hke birds ; or hide yourselves 
in the earth, like mice ; or swim in the water, like 



What does Maundrell say of the custom of giving presents 1 What present 
did the Scythians send to Darius 1 What did the Persian king think of these 
presents 1 What was their meaning 1 



108 PRESENTS. 

froers ; you shall in no wise be able to avoid the arrows 
of the Scythians.' " 

'-^ Truly, this was a present of a very pecuHar na- 
ture, and unlike the usual presents in the East. These 
were often very numerous. D'Herbelot tells us, that 
a poet of Cufah, in the ninth century, had so many 
presents made him in the course of his life, that at his 
death he was found possessed of a hundred complete suits 
of clothes, two hundred shirts, and five hundred tur- 
bans. We learn also, from Judges iii. IS, that there 
was often much parade and ostentation in bringing* 
their presents. ' Through ostentation, they ne^er fail 
to load upon four or five horses what might easily be 
carried by one. In like manner, as to jewels, trinkets, 
and, other things of value, they place in fifteen dishes 
what a single plate would very well hold.' " 

'' How many garments that poet had given to him, 
father!" 

'' He had ; the presents in the East are often very 
valuable. This appears not only from the case of the 
poet which I have mentioned, but from the circum- 
stance, that Naaman brought as a present to the proph- 



How many presents had a poet of Cufah in his possession at the time of his 
death '? What do we learn from the 18th verse of Judges 1 Were the presents 
in the East valuable 1 



PRESENTS. 109 

etj ' ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, 
and ten changes of raiment.' " 

"This must have been a very large sum, father." 

"It was ; of some thousand pounds valuCc We are 
assured by a writer whose statements are generally 
admitted to be correct, that the commander of an Eas- 
tern province purchased peace of his adversary by 
sending him a present of seven hundred thousand 
drachms of silver, in ready money ; four hundred loads 
of saffron, which that country produced in abundance ; 
and four hundred slaves, each of whom carried a rich 
turban of silk in a silver basin." 

" What a present, father !" 

"It is said, that when the house of Charles XII. 
was burnt at Bender, there were presents in it of the 
value of two hundred thousand crowns. The Eastern 
magi brought, most likely, a present of great value to 
the infant Saviour. Do yoa recollect what it was ?" 

" Gold, and frankincence, and myrrh. But yet, 
father. He appeared only as a poor child, lying in a 
manger." 

'^But, no doubt, they had been divinely taught that 



What present did Naaman bring to the prophet 1 How did the commander 
of a province purchase peace of his adversary 1 What vi^ere found in Charles 
XII*s house 1 What presents did the wise men bring to the infant Saviour 1 



110 CATTLE AND AGRICULTURE. 

He was a King, and they presented to him royal gifts. 
And on ' His head shall be many crowns.' ' He shall 
have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the 
river to the ends of the earth. Yea, all kings shall 
fall down before Him, all nations shall serve Him. 
His name shall endure for ever; and men shall be 
blessed in Him ; all nations shall call Him blessed. 
And blessed be His glorious name for ever ; and let 
the whole earth be filled with His glory ! Amen and 



CATTLE, AGRICULTURE, AND VINEYARDS. 

It appears that the Israelites devoted their principal 
attention to cattle and the cultivation of the land. 
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all shepherds, and 
had large flocks and herds. The wealth of persons in 
the early periods of the world consisted chiefly in 
these, though they did not neglect the raising of corn. 



Why did they present him with royal gifts '? Repeat the verses respecting 
our Saviour. To what did the Israelites devote their principal attention 1 
Who were shepherds 1 What did the wealth of people in ancient times consist o{% 



CATTLE AND AGRICULTURE. 



Ill 




It is said that Isaac sowed, and the Lord blessed him, 
so that he received a hundred fold. Gen. xxvi. 12. In- 
deed, we are informed, that Cain was a tiller of the 
ground, and Abel was a keeper of sheep. Moses, 
when he left the court of Pharaoh, kept the flocks of 
his father-in-law on Mount Horeb. Exod. iii. 1. Most 



Gen. xxvi. 12. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received 
in the same year an hundred fold, and the Lord blessed him. 

Exodus iii. 1. Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro, his fath- 
er-in-law the priest of Midian ; and he led the flock to the 



What is said of Isaac 1 Repeat a verse from Genesis, 
formed 1 Repeat a verse from Exodus. 



Of what are w© in*- 



112 CATTLE AND AGRICULTURE. 

of the judges and kings of Israel were employed in 
agriculture. Shamgar was a herdsman. Judges iii. 31. 
When the angel appeared to Gideon, he found him 
threshing, Judges vi. 11. After Saul was appointed 
kmg, he looked after his father's cattle, 1 Sam. xi. 5. 
David, in his early youth, was a shepherd. 

'^ You have often remarked, father, that David most 
likely wrote the twenty-third Psalm when he was 
watching over the sheep." 

" I think it very probable that his contemplative 
mind, when observmg the happiness of the flocks in 
Hhe green pastures,' and 'by the still waters,' was 
raised to meditate on that blessed relation which the 

back side of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, 
even to Horeb. 

Judges iii. 31. And after him was Shamgar, the son of 
Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an 
ox goad ; and he also delivered Israel. 

Judges vi. 11. And his son Gideon threshed wheat by the 
wine press, to hide it from the Midianites. 

1 Samuel, xi. 5. And behold, Saul come after the herd out 
of the field ; and Saul said. What aileth the people that they 
'weep ? 

How were the judges and kings of Israel employed 1 Repeat two verses from 
Judges. Repeat a verse from Samuel. What was David in his youth % When 
did David probably write the 23d Psahn 1 Why is it probable ] 



CATTLE AND AGRICULTURE. IIS 

good God sustained towards himself. 'The Lord,' 
said he, ' is my shepherd, I shall not want.' " 

''Arid Our Lord, you know, father, said he was a 
shepherd." 

'' Yes ; but this language was figurative, as used by 
Him ; for He did not personally look after flocks. He 
meant that as a shepherd provided for, and took care 
of the sheep committed to him, so he would take care 
of his servants, and be to them every thing they should 
need, both here and hereafter. He calls himself 'the 
GOOD shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep.' 
And we know that He did die for them, and thus ' bare 
their sins, and carried their sorrows.' And, in a bet- 
ter world. He has told us, that He will lead them to 
' living fountains of water, and wipe away all tears 
from their eyes.' But, to return to the employment 
of the Israelites. When they settled in the land of 
Canaan, every family had a portion of land given to it. 
They could not part with these inheritances ; at least 
not altogether. Every fiftieth year, which was called 
the year of Jubilee^ the land, if sold, came back to the 
persons who had parted with it, or to their heirs." 

'' Did they always plough the land, father ?" 

In what sense was our Lord a shepherd 1 What did he call himself? What 
do we know 1 What was the employment of the Israelites 1 



114 CATTLE AND AGRICULTURE. 

" It is not unlikely that it was often turned up, with 
a kind of spade. Ploughs were invented very early. 
They are mentioned, Job iv. 8, and by Moses, Deut. 
xxii. 10 The prophets often speak of ploughing up 




the fallow ground, Jerem. iv. 3 ; Hosea x. 12. Job 

Job iv. 8. Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity and 
sow wickedness, reap the same. 

Deut. xxii. 10. Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass 
together. 

Jer. iv. 3. For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and 
Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among 
thorns. 

Hosea x. 12. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in 
mercy ; break up your fallow ground. 

How was the land often turned up 1 Repeat some verses from the Bible« 



CATTLE AND AGRICULTURE. 



115 



also speaks of harrows, Job xxxix. 10, Oxen were 
generally used for cultivating the ground. In Gen. 
xlv. 6, Joseph says, ' There are five years in which 
shall neither be earing nor harvest.' Earing is an ob- 
iSolete word, which means ploughing ; as appears also 
from 1 Sam. viii. 12. As the ploughs in ancient times 




were much smaller <and lighter than those which we 
use, it required greater care to hold them. Hence 
Our Lord said, ^No man putting his hand to the 
plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. 



Job xxxix. 10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in 
the furrow, or will he harrow the valleys after thee ? 

1 Samuel, viii. 12. And he will set them to ear his ground, 
and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, 
and instruments of his chariots. 



What does Joseph say 1 Whas does earing mean 1 
of ancient times f What does our Lord say 1 



What of tlie ploughs 



116 VINEYARDS. 

''Cisterns of water were often formed to refresh the 
ground, and from these, little rills were directed, in 
small channels, to different parts of the field, which 
were commonly opened or closed by the foot. There 
is a reference to this circumstance in Deut. xi. 
10, 11. 

''The Israelites, father, did not raise corn merely; 
we often read of Vineyards in Scripture." 

" You are right, Harry ; and their grapes were very 
fine. You recollect the large cluster which was 
brought by the spies, — do you not ?" 

" Yes ; and it seems to have been as much as two 
persons could well carry ; for you know two ' bare it 
between them on a staff.' " 

" Lebanon seems to have been remarkable for its 

Deut. xi. 10. For the land whither thou goest in to possess 
it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, 
where thou sowedst thy seed and wateredst it with thy foot as 
a garden of herbs. 

11. But the land whither ye go to possess it, is a land of 
hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven. 

Why were cisterns of water often formed 1 What were directed to different 
parts of the field 1 Repeat a versefrom Deut. Do we read of vineyards in the 
Scriptures! Were the grapes fine ] What is said of tlie cluster oi ^.a{>e9 
brought by the spies 1 For what was Lebanon remarkable 1 



VINEYARDS. 117 

vines, Hosea xiv. 7. Towers and cottages were fre- 
quently built in the vineyards, not only for their pro- 
tection, but for the abode of the vine-dressers. Matt, 
xxi. SS ; Isaiah i. 8. In the East, vines were, and are, 
very commonly trained up on the walls of the houses, 
Psalm cxxviii. 3 ; Gen. xlix. 22. The vineyards of 
King Uzziah were on Mount Carmel, 2 Chron. xxvi. 10. 

Hosea xiv. 7. They shall revive as the cornj and grow as the 
vine ; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. 

Matt. xxi. 33. There was a certain householder which plan- 
ted a vineyard and hedged it round about, and digged a wine 
press in it and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and 
went into a far country. 

Isaiah i. 8. And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in 
a vineyard ; as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged 
city. 

Psalms cxxviii. 3. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the 
sides of thy house ; thy children like olive plants round about 
thy table. 

Gen. xlix. 22. Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful 
bough by a well ; whose branches run over the wall. 

2 Chron. xxvi. 10. For he had much cattle both in the low 

Repeat a verse from Hosea. Where were towers and cottages frequently 
built 1 Repeat verses from Matthew and Isaiah. Where are vines trained in 
the East 1 Repeat verses from Psalms and Genesis. Where were tlie vine- 
yards of king Uzziah 1 Repeat a verse from Clironicles. 



118 VINEYARDS. 

^' During the seventh year, according to the divine 
command, the land was to lie fallow, and the vine- 
yards were not to be pruned nor dressed." 

''Our Lord, father, compares Himself to a Vine, in 
the fifteenth chapter of John." 

''Yes; and He tells us that His people are the 
branches ; that is, as the branches derive nourishment, 
and verdure, and fruitfulness from the parent stem ; 
so, by faith in Him, we become fruitful in every good 
word and work. Without this faith, which is implan- 
ted in the heart by the Holy Spirit, we are as branch- 
es separated from the vine, which are fruitless, and of 
no value, but" to be cast into the fire." 

" Do you recollect, father, that the Jews had any 
other kind of fruits ?" 

" Certainly ; we read in the Scriptures of dates ; 
of pomegranates, Deut. viii. 8 ; and of figs, in many 

country and in the plains ; husbandmen also, and vine dressers 
in the mountains and in Carmel : for he loved husbandry. 

Deut. viii. 8. A land of wheat and barley, and vines, and 
fig trees and pomegranates ; a land of oil olive, and honey. 



What was done during the seventh year 1 To what does our Lord compare 
himself '? What does our Lord tell us 1 What are we without faith 1 Of what 
fruit dp we read in the Scriptures 1 Repeat a verse from Deut. 



VINEYARDS* 1119 

places. Olives, also, were especially cultivated by 
them, for the sake of the fine oil which they produc- 
ed. There was one Mount particularly famous for 
them ; — do you recollect what it was called ?" 

" The Mount of Olives." 

" Dr. Clarke tells us, that they still grow there in 
great profusion. This mountain is very celebrated in 
Scripture. David passed over it barefoot, and weep- 
ing, when he fled from Absalom, 2 Sam. xv. 30. It 
was on this eminence, from whence our Lord could see 
the whole city of Jerusalem, that He predicted its de- 
struction. Here, also. He was in ' an agony,' when 
He bare the divine displeasure due to our sins ; ' and 
His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling 
down to the ground.' Well does one of our poets, re- 
ferring to this memorable scene of our Lord's humili- 
ation and sufferings, exclaim, 

2. Sam. XV. 30. And Samuel went up by the ascent of 
Mount Olivet, and wept as h€ went up, and had his head cover- 
^5d, and he went barefoot. 



Why were olives cultivated 1 What mountain was particularly famous for 
them 1 What does Dr. Clarke tell us 1 Repeat a verse from Samuel. From 
what eminence did our Lord predict the destruction of Jerusalem 1 Where was 
he in " an agony V^ , 



120 TRADE AND COMMERCE* 

' O Garden of Olivet, dear honour'd spot, 
The fame of thy wonders shall ne'er be forgot ; 
The scene most transporting to seraphs above. 
The triumph of sorrow, the triumph of love !* '' 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 

" It does not appear from the Scriptures, that there 
was by any means such a variety of professions among 
the people of the East as among us. We read indeed 
of ' the Valley of Craftsmen,' 1 Chron. iv. 14. These 
persons were evidently much prized, as we are inform- 
ed that the Philistines and Babylonians took especial 
care to carry them away captive, whenever they were 
successful in invading the country, 1 Sam. xiii. 19. We* 
often read of smiths and carpenters, Isaiah xli. 7 ; xliv. 

1 Sam. xiii. 19. Now there was no smith found throughout 
all the land of Israel ; for the Philistines said, Lest the He- 
brews make them swords or spears. 

Isaiah xli. 7. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, 
and he that smootheth with the hammer he that smote the an- 



What does one of our poets say 1 Wiiat appears from the Scriptures 1 What 
do we read of in Chronicles 1 What are we told concerning Craftsmen 1 Re- 
peat a verse from Samuel. Of what do we often read 1 Repeat verses fi-om 
Isaiah and Zeehariah. 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 121 

13 ; liv. 16 ; Zech. i. 20. The trade of the potter al- 
so appears to have been common, Jer. xviii. 2. Some 
families wrought in fine Hnen, 1 Chron. iv. 21. Weav- 
ing also seems to have been generally practised. Job 
vii. 6; Isaiah xxxviii. 12. Most likely, as was the 

vil saying ; It is ready for the sodering ; and he fastened it 
with nails, that it should not be moved. 

Isaiah xliv. 13. The carpenter stretcheth out his rule, he 
marketh it out with a line ; he fitteth it with planes, and he 
marketh it out with a compass. 

liv. 16. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the 
coals of the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his 
work ; and I have created the water to destroy. 

Zech. i. 20. And the Lord showed me four carpenters. 

Jer. xviii. 2. Arise and go down to the potter's house, and 
there I will cause thee to hear my words. 

I Chron. iv. 21. Er, the father of Lecah and Laadah, the 
father of Mareshah and the families of the house of them that 
wrought fine linen. 

Job vii. 6. My days are swifler than a weaver's shuttle, and 
are spent without hope. 

Psalms xxxviii. 12. Mine age is departed, and is removed 
from me as a shepherd's tent ; I have cut off like a weaver my 
life. 

/ What trade appears to have been common '? Repeat a verse from Jeremiah. 
What did some families do 1 Repeat a verse from Chronicles. What seems to 
have been generally practised 1 Repeat verses from Job and Isaiah. 



122 TRADE AND COMMERCE. 

case in England about seventy or eighty years since, 
many families, in villages, and in the country espe- 
cially, spun and wove their own garments. Homer de- 
scribes Eumeas, the steward of Ulysses, as making 
his own shoes," 

" But did not the Jews carry on a large trade with 
other countries !" 

'' We have no reason to think so. Ezekiel describes 
at large the articles in which the merchants of Tyre 
trafficked ; but only wheat, honey, oil, and balm are 
mentioned as the produce of Judea, Ezek. xxvii. Sol- 
omon was obliged to send to Hiram, king of Tyre, for 
persons who were sufficiently skilled to make the orna- 
ments for his temple," 2 Chron. ii. 7, 13. 

Ezek. xxvii. 17. Judah and the land of Israel they were thy 
merchants, they traded in thy market, wheat of Minnith, and 
Pannag, and honey, and oil and balm. 

2 Chron. ii. 7. Send me now therefore a man cunning to 
work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in 
purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave w4th 
the cunning men that are with me in Judah and Jerusalem. 

13. And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with un- 
derstanding, of Hiram my father's. 

What is most likely 1 How do^ Homer describe Emneas 1 \Miat does 
Ezekiel describe 1 WTiat did Judea produce 1 Repeat a verse from Ezekiel. 
What was Solomon obliged to do 1 Repeat verses from Chronicles. 



VRADE AND COMMERCE. 123 

" The first mention of trade in the Scriptures is in 
reference to the Midianites and the IshmaeUtes, who 
were carrying into Egypt spices, and balm, and myrrh, 
which were greatly used for embalming dead bodies." 

'' But, they dealt in slaves as well ?" 

" I rather think they were ready to buy any thing 
of which they could make a profit. To buy or to sell 
a man is expressly contrary to God's command, ' He 
that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found 
in his hand, he shall surely be put to death,' and yet 
we know they traded in slaves." 

" Tyre seems to have been superior to any other 
country at the time it flourished, as to commerce. The 
words of the prophet Isaiah are remarkable, and are 
very applicable to our own land ; ^ Her merchants were 
princes, and her traffickers the honourable of the 
earth.' But they dealt in slaves, Ezek. xxvii. 13. and 
were defiled, as we read, ' by the iniquity of traffic ;' 

Ezek. xxvii. 13. Javan, Tubal and Meshech, they were thy 
merchants, and they traded the persons of men, and vessels of 
brass in thy market. 

For what were spices, balm, and myrrh used 1 What is contrary to the 
command of God 1 What is said in the Bible of selling men 1 What of Tyre? 
Repeat the words of the prophet Isaiah. Repeat a verse from Ezekiel. 



124 TRADE AND COMMERCE. 

SO God declared that he would punish and destroy this 
proud and wicked city." 

^' And I read the account of its destruction in Rollin, 
the other day." 

'' I know you did, Harry. The historian has well 
described the fulfilment of the prophecy." 

"Where is the prediction you refer to, father ?" 

''In Ezek. xxvi. 4, 5. We read, 'They shall de- 
stroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers ; 
I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her 
like the top of a rock. It shall be a place for the 
spreading of nets, in the midst of the sea ; for I have 
spoken it, saith the Lord God.' " 

" This prophecy has indeed been most completely 
fulfilled. Bruce, the celebrated traveller, tell us, that 
when he passed by the spot where this flourishing city 
once stood, all he saw was, 'two miserable-looking 
fishermen, who had just closed their labours, about to 
spread their nets upon the rocks.' " 

" You say, father, that the Jews were not engaged 
much in commerce ; but Solomon had ships." 

"It is true, Harry; but Hiram, king of Tyre, sent 
workmen to build them, and sailors to manage them. 

What did God declare 1 Repeat the prophecy of the destruction of Tyre. 
Has this prophecy been fulfilled 1 What does Bruce the traveller tell us 1 Were 
the Jews much engaged in commerce 1 What did Hiram do 1 



TRADE AND COMMERCE. 125 

It appears that Solomon took much interest in this 
business, because he went himself to Ezion-geber, and 
Elath, to witness the fitting out of the vessels, 2 
Chron. viii. 17. These were the only sea ports the 
Hebrews possessed ; and by means of the traffic which 
was carried on through them, silver was so plentiful 
in Judea, that 'it was nothing accounted of in the 
days of Solomon.' This famous king also traded in 
horses, and chariots, and linen, very extensively, with 
the Egyptians, 1 Kings x. 28, 29 ; 1 Kings iv. 26. But 
the sea-ports which I have alluded to, were taken 
away from the Jews by Ziglathpileser, the Assyrian 

2 Chron. viii. 17. Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and 
to Elath, at the sea side in the land of Edom. 

1 Kings, X. 28. And Solomon had horses brought out of 
Egypt, and linen yarn : the king's merchants received the lin- 
en yarn at a price. 

29. And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six 
hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and 
fifty. 

1 Kings, iv. 26. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of 
horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 

Where did Solomon go '? Repeat a verse from Chronicles. Which were the 
A only seaports of the Hebrews 1 How was silver accounted in Judea 1 In what 
did king Solomon trade '? Repeat verses from Kings. 



126 TRADE AND COMMERCE. 

monarch, and thus their foreign traffic was completely 
destroyed." 

'' If Solomon brought so much silver into his king- . 
dom, money must have been very plentiful." 

'' It does not appear, Karry, that the Jews coined 
any money, till long after their return from Babylon, 
in the time of Judas Maccabeus. It is true, money is 
often mentioned in the Scriptures ; but there is reason 
to believe that it merely consisted of pieces of metal, 
which were valued according to their weight, as is still 
the case in many parts of the East. After the Jews 
were subdued by the Romans, their money was com- 
mon among them, as appears from the piece which the 
enemies of our Lord showed him, and on which was 
impressed the image and superscription of Csesar, the 
Roman Emperor. Matt. xxii. 20. I have seen in the 
cabinets of antiquaries, some Roman medals, or coins, 
representing Judea, under the figure of a female cap- 
tive sitting under a palm-tree, with the inscription, 

Matt. xxii. 20. And he saith unto him, Whose is this image 
and superscription ? 

How was the foreign traffic of the Jews destroyed 1 When did they coin 
money 1 What did money probably consist of 1 What of money after the Jews 
Mrere conquered by the Romans 1 Repeat a verse from Matthew. What do the 
Roman medals or coi»fi represent 1 



» 



MUSIC AND POETRY. 



127 



JUD JEA CAPTA. These medals are remarkable proofs 
of the truth of Scripture, and of history in general." 




MUSIC AND POETRY. 

" You were asking me, yesterday, Harry, about the 
musical instruments mentioned in the Scriptures. I 
had not time then to answer your question ; but now 
we can talk a little about them. 

What are proofs of the truth of Scripture 1 



( 



128 



MUSIC AND POETRY. 



''Music appears to have been much cultivated from 
the earliest periods. Thus Laban, in the Book of 
Genesis, speaks of his wish to have sent Jacob away 
'with the sound of the tabret and of the harp.' Isaiah 
speaks of the harp, the viol, the tabret, and the pipe, 




as 
was 



having been used in feasts, Isaiah v. 12. Music 
-^ generally used to celebrate victory over enemies^ 





Isaiah v. xii. And the harp and the viol, the tabret, and 
pipe, and wine are in their feasts. 



What appears concerning music'? What does Laban say '? Of what doefl 
Isaiah speak 1 Reoeat a verse from Isaiah. For what was music generally used 1 



MUSIC, AND POETRY. 129 

Exod. XV. 20, 21 ; 1 Sam. xviii. 6. To the truly pious 
individual it is principally interesting, as connected 
with the worship of God. Thus it was employed by 
David at the removal of the ark, 2 Sam. vi. 14. Psalm- 
ody, with music, formed a large proportion of the Jew- 
ish worship. The Harp of David has been deserved- 
ly celebrated in all ages. We also read of four thous- 
and Levites, who with musical instruments praised 

Exod. XV. 20. And Miriam the prophetess the sister of Aaron, 
took a timbrel in her hand ; and all the women went out after 
her with timbrels and with dances. 

21. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he 
hath triumphed gloriously, the horse and his rider hath he 
thrown into the sea. 

1 Sam. xviii. 6. And it came to pass as they came when 
David was returned from the slaughter of the PhiUstine, that 
the women came out of all cities in Israel singing and dancing 
to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy and instruments of 
music. 

2 Sam. vi. 14. And David danced before the Lord with all 
his might ; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 



Repeat some verses from Exodus and Samuel. To whom is music interest- 
ing 1 When was music emyloyed by David 1 Repeat a verse from Samuel. 
What formed a large part of Jewish worship 1 What of the harp of David 1 
Who praised God in the temple 1 

9 



130 MUSIC AND POETRY. 

God in the Temple, 1 Chron. xxiii. 5. Trumpets are 
often mentioned as having been used at the solemn 
feasts." 

'' In the picture which you showed me, father, of 
the arch of Titus, you know, the trumpets are to be 
seen in sculpture on the inside of it." 

''They are ; and they constitute a remarkable proof 
of the truth of the Sacred History. We must not, 
however, forget, that the finest music, and the great- 
est pomp, are all of no value in the sight of God, 
without the homage of the heart. Hence, says the 
apostle Paul, ' I will sing with the Spirit, and I will 
sing with the understanding also.' Many good men 
have been, and are of opinion, that the greatest sim- 
plicity ought to distinguish Christian worship. ' God,' 
said the Great Teacher, 'is a Spirit, and they who 
worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.' 
It is remarkable, that the most corrupt church is that 

1 Chron. xxiii. 5. Moreover, four thousand were porters, 
and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments which 
I made, said David, to praise therewith. 

Repeat averse from Chronicles. What were used at solemn feasts 1 W^hat 
are sculptured on the arch of Titus 1 What must we not forget 1 What says 
the apostle Paul '\ Of what are good men of opinion 1 What says the Great 
Teacher 1 



MUSIC AND POETRY. 131 

which is most distinguished for its paintings, its music, 
and the external pomp and splendour of its ceremo- 
nies ; which certainly derive no sanction from any 
passages in the New Testament." 

" The Sarcophagus, you know, father, which we 
saw in the British Museum, and was brought to Eng- 
land by Belzoni, seems, like the arch df Titus, to 
prove the truth of Sacred History ; 1 wish you would 
tell me again about it." 

^^ When this traveller was in Egypt, he discovered 
a tomb in the rocks, which had many rooms in it ; a 
great number of fine figures were also painted and sculp- 
tured on the walls. Among them, there were evident- 
ly many Jews, as appeared from their countenances 
and dress, as captives. From these, and also from 
the hieroglyphic characters, Belzoni affirms, he has 
no doubt but that this beautiful tomb was that of 
Psammis, a king of Egypt, the son of Necho, who 
had conquered Judea. 

'' There is another subject, for which the Bible is 
very remarkable, and which is closely connected with 
music ; it is poetry. The finest poetry which is to be 
found, is in the Holy Scriptures. Our most sublime 

Which is the most corrupt church 1 What does the Sarcophagus prove 1 
What can you tell of Belzoni's travels *? For what is the Bible very remarkable 1 
Where is the finest poetry to be found 1 



132 MUSIC AND POETRY. 

poet has copied larg-ely from the sacred pages. Do you 
know to whom I refer ?" 

'' To Milton, father ?" 

''Yes. A large part of the Prophecies, and the 
whole of the book of the Psalms are in strains of beau- 
tiful and sublime poetry. It is still very common in 
the East, as travellers inform us, to recite in compa- 
nies long histories, in a poetic style. The very lan- 
guage of the common people is so full of figurative 
expressions, that it can scarcely be regarded often as 
prose. Christians are exhorted by the Apostle to ' ad- 
monish one another, in Psalms and Hymns, and Spir- 
itual Songs, making melody in their hearts unto the 
Lord." 

'^ Will you mention a few of those parts of Scrip* 
ture in which you think the finest poetry is to be 
found ?" 

'^ You will find many of these pointed out in the 
beautiful work of Bishop Lowth, called ' Lectures on 
the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews ;' a work, which, I 
hope, you will read with care when you are a little 
older. But I will refer you to a few specimens. The 

Who has copied largely from the sacred pages 1 What part of the Scripturetf^ 
is in beaut'iful and sublime poetry '? What is common in the East 1 How does 
the Apostle exhort Christians to admonish one another 1 Where can you find 
^ finest poetry in the Scriptures 1 



THE GRECIAN GAMES, 133 

Song of Moses, Exod. xv. ; that of Deborah, Judges 
V. ; of Hannah, 1 Sam. ii ; the Hymn in Isaiah xii. ; 
David's Lamentation for Jonathan, 2 Sam. i. ; the 
language of Balaam, in Numb, xxiii. and xxiv. ; the 
139th and other Psalms ; and Habakkuk's description 
of the Divine Majesty, in the third chapter of his 
predictions." 



THE GRECIAN GAMES. 



^' You said, father, that the Apostle Paul frequently 
alludes to the Olympic Games, which were so celebra- 
ted in Greece. I wish you would show me the passa- 
ges to which you refer ?" 

" I shall be pleased to do so, Harry. They are well 
worthy of our attention. But, first, I must make a 
few remarks on these Games. You very properly call 
them celebrated ; for persons came from almost all 
parts of the civilized world to witness them. Kings, 
and the most distinguished characters, entered the 
lists, and counted the prizes on such occasions as ob- 



To what does the Apostle Paul frequently allude 1 Who came to witness the 
Olympic games 1 Who entered the lists ? 



134 



THE GRECIAN GAME9. 



jects of the greatest value, though they consisted onFy 
of crowns of leaves of parsley, or of palm-branches. 




The candidates prepared themselves for the races by a 
particular diet for some time before they actually en- 
gaged in them. The Apostle, considering how much 
pains they took to gain these momentary, trivial hon- 
ours, shows how much more reasonable it was that 
real Christians should awaken all their energies to se- 
cure the rewards which are infinitely superior. ' So 
run,' says he, comparing the Christian life to a race, 
' that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth 
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they 
do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we are incor- 



Of T\'hat did the prizes consist 1 How did the candidates prepare themselves 
for the races 1 What does the Apostle show 1 What does he say 1 



THE GRECIAN GAMES 135 

ruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly ; so 
fight I, not as one that beateth the air; but I keep 
under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that 
by any means, when I have preached the Gospel to 
others, I myself should be a cast-away.' These allu- 
sions would be sensibly felt by the Corinthians, to 
whom they were addressed, as the Games referred to 
took place very near their city. 

"In those races, the candidates were accustomed to 
lay aside their long garments which would be certain 
to entangle them, and leave them no chance of gain- 
ing the victory. Many thousands of spectators usually 
witnessed the contest, whilst the judge took his place 
at the goal,, holding up the prize to the view of all. 
The Apostle beautifully alludes to these circumstances 
in that well-known passage. 'Wherefore, seeing we also 
are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnes- 
ses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which 
doth so easily beset us, looking unto Jesus, the author 
and finisher of our faith.' If a Christian would win 
the heavenly prize, he must earnestly supplicate grace 
to lay aside those sins which would entangle and hin- 
der him in his career." 



Where did the games take place 1 What was done in the races 1 Who 
witnessed the contest 1 What does the Apostle say '? 



136 THE GRECIAN GAMES. 

'' What is meant by the sin which ' most easily 
besets us ?' " 

" I apprehend, that sin to which a man is most 
prone. One is most prone to anger, another to pride, 
and so on. We must guard in general against all sin, 
but especially against that which most easily gains an 
advantage over us. Just as the citizens of a besieged 
town would set a watch on every part of the walls, 
but they would look with double vigilance to a position 
which they knew to be particularly exposed. But 
there are two other fine and most interesting passa- 
ges in which the Apostle refers to these Games." 

" Please to mention them." 

'' The one is, Philipp. iii. 13, 14. ' Forgetting those 
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto 
those which are before, I pre^s toward the mark, for 
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
The other is, 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. 'I have fought a good 
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ; 
henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of right- 
e'ousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall 



WTiat is meant by the sin which most easily besets us 1 What sin must we 
especially guard against 1 How do you compare this sin with an exposed po- 
sition in a besieged town 1 What two verses in Philippians mention these 



GRINDING. 137 

give me at that day ; and not to me only, but to all 
them also that love His appearing.' " 



GRINDING. 



" In the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, father, 
it is said, 'two women shall be grinding at the mill, 
the one shall be taken, and the other left.' Do women 
ever grind at the mill ? I never saw any doing so." 

" True, Harry ; here is indeed a custom peculiar to 
the East. 'Most families,' says Dr. Shaw, 'grind 
their wheat and barley at home, having two portable 




grindstones for that purpose. The uppermost is turn- 



What is said in the 24th chapter of Matthew 1 What do most families do in 
the East '? 



138 GRINDING. 

ed round by a small handle of wood, or iron, placed in 
the edge of it, while the corn is poured between them. 
When this stone is large, or expedition is required, 
then a second person is called in to assist. It is usual 
for the women alone to be concerned in this employ, 
sitting themselves down over against each other, with 
the millstones between them.' Similar mills were in 
use in Scotland, till very lately, especially in the 
Highlands, and were called querns. Pennant, in his 
Tour, has given a picture of this useful article. Most 
likely, it was one of these millstones which the wo- 
man threw on the head of Abimelech, Judges ix. 53. 
See also Matt, xviii. 6. As it was essential to the 
nourishment of the family to have a mill of this kind, 
God forbade any person to take in pledge the nether 
or the upper millstone ; because, it is expressively 

Judges ix. 53. And a certain woman cast a piece of a mill- 
stone upon Abimelech's head, and all to break his skull. 

Matt, xviii. 6. But whoso shall offend one of these little 
ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone 
were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the 
depths of the sea. 

How are the griiidstones used 1 \Vho are concerned in this emplojTuent 1 
What were mills in Scotland called 1 Repeat a -verse from Judges and a verse 
from Matthew. 



GRINDING. 1S9 

added, ^ he taketh a man's life to pledge,' Deut. xxiv. 6. 

^'It appears from the Scriptures, that there were 
mills sometimes in prisons, at which the criminals 
were employed. Samson ground in the prison housej 
Judges xvi. 21. The prophet Isaiah speaks of grind- 
ing corn as the work of a slave, Isaiah xlvii. 2. 

^^ The women still grind the corn in the East. ' In 
the earliest dawn of the morning,' says Forbes, ' in 
all the Hindoo towns and villages, the hand-mills are 
at work ; when the menials and widows grind meal 
sufficient for the daily consumption of the family. 
There is a windmill at Bombay for grinding corn ; but 
I do not recollect seeing another in India, where the 
usual method of grinding is with millstones, and it is 
always performed by women, who resume their task 

Deut. xxiv. 6. No man shall take the nether or the upper 
millstone to pledge ; for he taketh a man's life to pledge. 

Judges xvi. 21. But the Philistines took him, and put out 
his eyes and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with 
fetters of brass ; and he did grind in the prison house. 

Isaiah xlvii, 2. Take the millstones and grind meal ; un- 
cover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass 
over the rivers. 

What is forbidden in Deuteronomy 1 Where were mills sometimes used *? Of 
what does the prophet Isaiah speak 1 What do the women still do in the East 1 
What does Forbes say 1 What does he say of the Hindoo widows 1 



!40 



GRINDING. 



every morning ; especially the Hindoo widows, dives- 




ted of every ornament, with their heads shaved, and 
degraded to almost a state of servitude. Very similar 
must have been the custom in Judea, from the pathetic 
lamentation of the prophet, ' Come down, and sit in 
the dust, Virgin, daughter of Babylon ; sit on the 
ground ; for thou shalt no more be called tender and 
delicate ; take the millstones, and grind meal : sit 
thou silent, and get thee into darkness, daughter of 
Chaldea, for thou shalt no more be called the lady of 
kingdoms.' "* 



Repeat the lamentation of the prophet. 
* Forbes 's Orient. Mem. vol. i. p. 210. 



TENTS, 141 

"It is very surprising, father, that the more we ex- 
amine, the more we find the Bible right in every 
thing !" 

"It is ; and Mr. Salt in his voyage to Abyssinia, 
and the late Dr. Clarke, of Cambridge, affirm, that 
women are still employed in the same way in the 
East.^ 



TENTS. 

" Have you any other passage of Scripture, Harry, 
for examination ?" 

" No, father ; will you tell me a few ?" 
" Well, I will ; but I rather like you to select them 
yourself. I was this morning noticing the expressions 
in the Book of Judges, 'Behold, now the day draweth 
towards evening.' The reference in the margin, is, 
'It is the pitching time of the day.' So termed, no 
doubt, in allusion to travellers, who, when the day is 
closing, pitch their tents that they may rest for the 
night. Dr. Shaw says, ' Our constant practice was to 

What do Mr. Salt and Mr. Clarke affirm 1 What is said in the book of 
Judges 1 Why is the evening called "the pitching time of day '"5 



142 TENTS. 

rise at break of day, set forward with the sun, and 
travel till the middle of the afternoon ; at which time 
we began to look out for the encampments of the 
Arabs, who pitch in woods, valleys, or places the least 
conspicuous.' " 

^'We read of tents very early in the Scriptures. 
Jabal, it is said, 'was the father of such as dwell in 
tents.' Most likely this passage refers to him as the 
inventor of them. The Patriarchs, we are often in- 
formed, 'dwelt in tabernacles,' or tents. Each one 
appears to have had a separate tent. Sarah's tent, 
we are told, was assigned to Rebekah, Gen. xxiv. 67. 
Jacob, Rachel, and Leah had their particular tents, 
Gen. xxxi. 33. They were frequently pitched beneath 
the shade of a tree ; this was the case with that of 
Abraham on the plains of Mam^re, Gen. xviii. 4, The 

Gen. xxiv. 67. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sa- 
rah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. 

Gen. xxxi. 33. And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into 
the two maid servants' tents ; but he found them not. Then 
went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. 

Gen. xviii. 4. Let a little water be fetched I pray you, and 
wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 

What does Dr. Sliaw say 1 What is said of Jabal 1 What does this prob- 
ably mean *? Where did the Patriarchs dwells Had each a separate tent'? 
Repeat verses from Genesis concerning tent&. 



TENTS. 143 

prophetess Deborah dwelt under a palm tree, — no 
doubt, in a tent, — in Mount Ephraim," Judges iv. 5. 

" Tents were rendered firm, as with us, by cords and 
stakes, and could be easily enlarged by lengthening 
the one and strengthening the other ; to which there 
is an allusion in Isaiah liv. 2, Travellers in the East 
generally fix their tents near some spring, or fountain, 
or river, 1 Sam. xxix. 1. 

'' The whole nation of the Israelites lived forty 
years in tents, in the wilderness. These were chiefly 
composed of the branches of trees. That they might 
recollect this circumstance, and God's goodness in that 
memorable journey, God commanded them annually 

Judges iv. 5. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deb- 
orah, between Ramar and Bethel in Mount Ephraim ; and 
the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 

Isaiah liv. 2. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them 
stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations ; spare not, length- 
en thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. 

1 Sam. xxix. 1. Now the Philistines gathered together all 
their armies to Aphek, and the Israelites pitched by a fountain 
which is in Jezreel. 

Where did Deborah dwell 1 Repeat a verse from Judges. How \rere tents 
rendered firm and enlarged 1 Repeat a verse from Isaiah, and a verse from Sam^ 
uel. Of what were the tents composed in which the Israelites lived forty years 1 



144 TENTS. 

to forsake their usual dwellings, and to live for a sea- 
son in tents. Levit. xxiii. 40. This command is still 
observed by the Jews in their Feast of Tabernacles. 

'^ Tents are made of various materials. Many con- 
sist of only a coarse cloth of goats' hair, suspended on 
a few sticks, not better than many which are common 
among us." 

" You mean the tents of the Gipsies, father ?" 

''Yes, Harry; according to the accounts of travel- 
lers, many tents in the East are not superior, and 
many even worse, than these. But not a few, on the 
contrary are very superb. Travellers speak of some 
which have been three or even four years in making. 
That of Nadir Shah was covered over with scarlet 
broadcloth, lined with satin of a violet colour, and 
adorned with figures of animals and flowers, which 
were all formed of pearls and precious stones. 

"To show the entire ruin which should fall on Bab- 

Levit. xxiii. 40. And ye shall take you on the first day, 
the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the 
boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and she shall 
rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. 

What did God command the Israelites to do 1 When is this command ob- 
Berved by them 1 Of what were tents made 1 What do travellers say of theml 
Of what was the tent of Nadir Shah made 1 



CLIMATE. 



145 



ylon, the prophet said, ' Neither shall the Arahian 
pitch tent there ; neither shall the shepherd dwell 
there ;' that is, it shall be utterly forsakep : and the, 
prediction has been minutely fulfilled." 

"I wonder, father, that preachers do not more often 
notice the customs of the East, as they throw so much 
light on Scripture ?" 



CLIMATE. 



' In the day the drought consumed me, and the 
frost by night.' This is the complaint of Jacob. With 
us the days and nights bear a considerable resem- 
blance to each other ; but there is a much greater 
difference at some seasons in the East. 'In lower 
.Asia, in particular,' says Sir J. Chardin, ' the day is 
always hot ; and as soon as the sun is fifteen degrees 
above the horizon, no cold is felt in the depth of wm- 
ter itself. On the contrary, in the height of summer 
the nights are as cold as at Paris in the month of 

What did the prophet Bay of Babylon 1 Has the prediction been fulfilled 1 
Do the customs o't'e East throw much light on ScripUvre 1 ^hat comp a.n^ 
does Jacob make in .Genesis >! How do the seasons differ here from those m 
the East 1 What does Sir J. Chardin say 1 

10 



tiS PI re:. 

March. It is for this reason that in Persia and Turkey 
they always make use of furred habits in the country, 
such only being sufficient to resist the cold of the 
nights." 



FIRE. 

'' Observe Leviticus vi. 13. ' The fire shall ever 
Be burning upon the altar ; it shall never go out.' " 

'' I recollect, father, the Romans had a fire that was 
Bever to go out. I read of it, the other day, in Gold- 
gmith's Roman History. It was kept up by the Vestal 
Virgins." 

^' It was. And without doubt had its origin from 
this fire mentioned in Leviticus. Sir W. Jones tells 
us, in the Asiatic Researches, that the priests in Per- , 
sia, when they enter on their office, kindle a fire with 
two hard pieces of wood, and keep it lighted through 
their lives. So Q. Curtius, narrating the particulars 
ef the march of the army of Darius, says, ' The fire, 
which they called eternal^ was carried before the sol- 



What does Leviticus say 1 Who kept up the Roman fire 1 What does Sir^ 
W» Jones tell us 1 What does Q. Curtius say 1 



BOTTLES. 147 

diers, on silver altars ; the Magi came after it, singing 
hymns in the Persian manner ; and three hundred and 
sixty-five youths, clothed in scarlet, followed, accord- 
ing to the number of the days in the year.' " 

'' It must have been a very pretty sight, father. But 
why did God command the fire to be always kept burn- 
ing on the altar in the Temple ?" 

" That is a very proper question, Harry. No doubt, 
to intimate to the worshippers, that their gratitude for 
the divine mercies should be perpetual. And not only 
so, but to be a constant emblem of the av/ful justice 
of the Most High, and of the never-failing efficacy of 
the atoning merit of the great Messiah, who, in the 
fulness of time, was 'to be cut off,' as the prophet 
Daniel says, 'but not for himself; to make an end of 
sin, and to bring in everlasting righteousness." 



BOTTLES. 



" Our Lord speaks of putting new wine into old 
bottles ; and says, we ought not to do so. But are 
not old bottles as good as new ?" 

Why did God command the fire to be always kept burning on the altar in the 
Temple 1 What does the prophet Daniel say 1 



148: 



BOTTLES, 



" With us perhaps they are ; but this was not the 
case in the East. They were made of various mate- 
rials ; principally of skins of animals. ' The people 
in the East keep their milk., wine^ water, and other 
liquors,' says Sir J. Chardin, ' in leathern bottles, 
made commonly of goat-skins. When the animal is 




killed, they cut off its feet, and its head, and so they 
draw it out of its skin^ without cutting open the belly. 
They afterwards sew up the places where the legs 
were cut off, and the tail ; and when it is filled they 
tie it about the neck. These nations, and the country 
people of Persia, never go a journey without a small 



What were bottles made of in the East T How were they made 1 



BOTTLES. 149 

leathern bottle of water hanging by their side. The 
great leathern bottles are each made of the skin of a 
he-goat, and the small ones are made of a kid's skin.' 
These bottles, when old, are liable to break and burst. 
Hence the propriety of not putting new wine in old 
bottles. This fact explains many passages of Scrip- 
ture. Matt. ix. 17. ; Mark ii. 22. 

" This makes our Lord's meaning very plain, father." 
" It does. ^ The same person,' says Maundrell, 
' whom we saw officiating at the altar in his embroid- 
ered robes, brought us, the next day, on his own back, 
a kid, and a goat-skin of wine, as a present from the 
convent' Mr. Bruce, speaking of similar vessels, 

Matt. ix. 17. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles ; 
€lse the bottles break, and the wine runneth out and the bottles 
perish ; but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are 
preserved. 

Mark ii. 22. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles ; 
else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, 
and the bottles will be marred ; but new wine must be put 
into new bottles 



What do the people of the East carry with them when they travel '? Of 
what arc the large and small bottles made 1 What of the bottles when old 1 
How are many passages in Scripture explained '? Repeat some verses from 
Matthew and Mark. What does Maundrell say 1 



150 BOTTLES. 

says, ' A gisba is an ox's skin, squared, and the edges 
sewn together by a doable seam, which does not let 
out the water, much resembling that upon the best 
English cricket-balls. An opening is left at the top of 
it, in the same manner as the bunghole of a cask ; 
around this the skin is gathered to the size of a large 
handful ; which, when full of water, is tied round with 
whipcord. These vessels generally contain about 
sixty gallons each, and two of them are the load of a 
camel. They are then smeared on the outside with 
grease, to prevent the water from oozing through, and 
from being evaporated by the heat of the sun ; which, 
in fact, happened to us twice, so that we were in im- 
minent danger of perishing by thirst.' 

'' To say the least, it appears in our version to be 
but a poor present that so wealthy a person as Abigail 
brought to David. The historian informs us, that she 
brought him two bottles of wine. But when we rec- 
ollect that most likely they were the skins perhaps of 
some large animal full of wine, it seems then becom- 
ing her affluence. How strange, and without mean- 
ing, does the comparison which David makes of him- 
self, when in trouble and affliction, to a bottle in the 

Give Mr. Bruce's account of the eastern bottles. WTiat did Abigail bring to 
David 1 What must we recollect concerning the size of the bottles 1 What 
comparison of David's appears strange 1 



15Ht)ES. ^^* 



^mote, appear, without a knowledge of the customs 

because a leathern bottle huagup in the smoke would 
soon be shrivelled up, and good for nothing. 



SHOES. 

u God is represented-as saying, in Aef^^^eth Psalm 
. Moab is my wash-pot ; over Edom -U I cas out my 
shoe.' I have been thinkmg, but I cannot under 

^*^:^Weil, we will try and clear it up. The^a-^^ 
is highly figurative ; it seems to mean, that the people 
of Moab should be reduced to the meanest condu on 

as a slave is, who waits on ^^^^ ^ord f d ^f^^llnl 
basin in which he washes his feet. And that the 

Psalms cxix. 83. For I am become like a bottle in the 
smoke, yet do I not forget thy statutes. ^^^^^ 

.smoke 1 What is said in the sixtieth Psato 
guage mean 1 



162 SHOES. 

of Edom, or Idumea, should be completely conquered, 
as the people are, on whose necks the victor sets his 
foot. The casting" of the shoe in ancient times, in the 
East, was a sign of dominion." 

'^ What a good meaning you give the verse, father !" 
'' It seems to be the natural sense of it, Harry. 
Joshua and Moses were both told, when they came 
into the Divine presence, to loose their shoes from 
their feet. This was, and is, in the East, a mark of 
reverence. Maundrell tells us, that in some cases, 
during his travels, he was obliged to comply with this 
custom, when he visited private individuals. ' At the 
doors of an Indian Pagoda.' says a traveller, ' are seen 
as many slippers and sandals as there are hats hang- 
ing up in our chiu'ches.' The Egyptians do not per- 
mit any one to enter their temples with shoes on, be- 
cause shoes being made of the skin of dead animals, 
are regarded as polluting them ; and the Turks always 
leave their shoes at the entrance of their mosques." 

" Our worship, father, would not be so much dis- 
turbed as it is, by people coming in late, if they were 



What is a sign of dominion in the East 1 What were Moses and Joshua 
told to do 1 What is a mark of reverence in the East 1 What does Maundrell 
tell us 1 What is seen at tlie door of an Indian Pagoda 1 What will the 
Egyptians not permit 1 What do the Turks do 1 



SHOES. 153 

obliged to leave their shoes and pattens at the door. 
Would it not be a good plan ?" 

'' Yes ; but I fear it would be impossible to persuade 
people to come into it ; and especially would it be dif- 
ficult to make those adopt it, who cannot be prevailed 
on to come to divine worship at the proper time. But, 
to return to our subject, putting off the shoes was an 
expression of mourning. Thus David, when driven 
from Jerusalem by the unnatural rebellion of his son 
Absalom, went up Mount Olivet ' barefoot,' as well as 
weeping. So, Mr. Addison, in his account of Barbary, 
says, ' The relations of a deceased person, for seven 
days after the interment, stir not abroad ; or if by some 
extraordinary occasion they are forced to go out of 
doors, it is without shoes ; which is a token with them 
that they have lost a dear friend.' Thus, when God 
commanded Ezekiel to abstain from mourning, among 
other things, he bade him ' put his shoes on his feet.' 
Servants v/ere accustomed to unloose, and to bear the 
shoes of their masters, when entering a temple, or the 
houses of persons of any rank. In allusion to this 
custom, John the Baptist said, that he regarded it as 

What would be a good custom in our churches 1 What was an expression 
of mourning in the East 1 What was done by David 1 What does Mr. Addi- 
son say of Barbary '? W^hat was Ezekiel told to do 1 What were servants ac- 
customed to do 1 



154 SHOES. 

too great an honour to be conferred on him, either to 
unloose or to bear the shoes of Messiah. Unfeigned 
humiUty has ever been a mark of true rehgion. 

'' We must not forget, when we speak of the shoes 
of the people of the East, that they were by no means 
like ours. They were sandals, or like the soles of our 
shoes, tied on the foot with a band. Hence they 
could very easily pull them off on entering a house, or 
a holy place. Exod. iii. 5. ; Josh. v. 15. And hence 
arose the necessity and comfort of washing the feet 
of a guest after his arrival from a journey. This was 
generally done by the servants in the family. It was 
a mark of condescension in the Lord Jesus, especially 
when we regard Him in the dignified character in 
which He is presented to us by the sacred penmen, 
to have washed His disciples' feet ; no doubt he did 

Ex. iii. 5. And he said, Draw not nigh hither ; put off thy 
shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is 
holy ground. 

Josh. V. 15. And the captain of the Lord's host said unto 
Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot ; for the place where 
thou standest is holy. 

What does John the Baptist say of this custom 1 What were the shoes worn 
by the people of the East 1 Why was it necessary to wash the feet after a jour- 
ney 1 What was a mark of condescension in the Lord Jesus 1 



THRONES* 155 

SO, to teach us that there is no duty by which we can 
promote the comfort and the welfare of the meanest 
of our brethren, to be regarded as beneath us." 



THRONES. 



"What a fine throne that of Solomon must have 
been, father ! How I should like to have seen it !" 

" Do you recollect what is said of it ?" 

'' It was made of ivory, and overlaid with the finest 
gold ; it had six steps, and the top of it was round be- 
hind ; and there were arms to lean on each side of the 
seat ; two lions were beside them ; on each side of the 
six steps, there were twelve lions. ' There was not 
the like,' it is said, 'made in any kingdom,' " 1 Kings 
X. 20. 

" No doubt, Harry, but it was very magnificent, as 

1 Kings. X. 20. And twelve lions stood there on the one 
side, and on the other upon the six steps ; there was not the 
like made in any kingdom. 

What does it teach us 1 What is said of Solomon's Temple 1 Repeat a 
verse frongi Kings. 



156 THRONES. 

all thrones in the East are. Tavernier, in his Indian 
Travels, gives a very striking description of the throne 
of the Great Mogul. Indeed, he has seven thrones ; 
some set all over with diamonds ; others, with rubies, 
emeralds, and pearls. But the largest throne is erec- 
ted in the hall of the first court of the palace ; it is 
six feet long, and four broad. ' I counted,' says he, 
' about a hundred and eight pale rubies about it, the 
least whereof weighed a hundred carats ; but there 
are some that weigh two hundred. I counted above 
one hundred and forty emeralds, that weighed, some 
threescore, some thirty carats. The under part of 
the canopy is entirely embroidered with pearls and 
diamonds, with a fringe of pearls round the edge. 
Upon the top of the canopy, which is made like an 
arch with four panes, stands a peacock^ with his tail 
spread, consisting entirely of sapphires, and other 
proper coloured stones ; the body is of beaten gold, 
enchased with numerous jewels ; and a great ruby 
adorns his breast, to which hangs a pearl that weighs 
fifty carats.^ On each side of the peacock stand two 



How many thrones has the Great Mogul 1 Give Tavernier's description of 
the largest throne. How much is a carat 1 

* A carat of gold is the weight of one scruple, or twenty-four grains ; a 
carat of pearls or diamonds is four grains only. 



THRaNES. 167 

nosegays as high as the bird, consisting of various 
sorts of flowers, all of beaten gold enamelled. When 
the king seats himself upon the throne, there is a 
transparent jewel, with a diamond appendant, of 
eighty or ninety carats weight, encompassed with 
rubies and emeralds, so suspended, that it is always 
in his eye. The twelve pillars also which uphold the 
canopy are set round with rows of diamonds of an ex- 
cellent water, that weigh from six to ten carats a 
piece. At the distance of four feet on each side of the 
throne are placed two umbrellas, the handles of which 
are about eight feet high, covered with diamonds ; the 
umbrellas themselves being of crimson velvet, embroi- 
dered and fringed with pearl. This is the famous 
throne which Timour began, and Shah Johan finish- 
ed ; and is really reported to have cost a hundred and 
sixty millions, and five hundred thousand livres of our 
money.' " 

"What a throne, father! Why it outshone that of 
Solomon !" 

" I suppose it did. But there is one throne which 
will infinitely surpass even this." 

'' What throne can this be ?^^ 



Who began and finissUed this splendid throne 1 What did it cost 1 



158 THE MIRAGE. 

" You will find an account of it in the seventh chap- 
ter of the Book of Daniel." 



THE MIRAGE. 



'' Bishop Lowth translates the first clause of Isaiahj 
XXXV. 7, ' And the glowing sand shall become a pool.' 
In his note on the passage, he says, ' The word is Ara- 
bic, as well as Hebrew ; but it means the same thing 
in both languages ; namely, the glowing sandy plain, 
which, in the hot countries, at a distance, has the ap- 
pearance of water. It sometimes tempts thirsty trav- 
ellers out of their way, but deceives them when they 
come near ; either going forward, — for it always ap- 
pears at the same distance, or it quite vanishes.' " 

^'Dr. E. D. Clarke, in his Travels, has given a very 
lively view of this wonderful appearance." 

" I did not notice it, father." 

" No, Harry, you could not do so, as you have but 
just finished the first volume ; and the account I refer 
to is very far on in the second." 



Find and repeat the account of a throne in the 7th chapter of the Book of 
Daniel. What does Bishop Lowth say in his note on a passage in Isaiah 1 



THE MIRAGE. 159 

" Will you please to tell me about it ?" 
'' He says, ' We arrived at the wretched solitary 
Tillage of Utko, near the muddy shore of the lake of 
that name, the entrance to which is called Maadie. 
Here we procured asses for all our party ; and, setting 
out for Rosetta, began to recross the Desert, appear- 
ing like an ocean of sand, but flatter and firmer as to 
its surface than before. The Arabs, uttering their 
harsh guttural language, ran chattering by the side of 
our asses ; until some of them calling out, ' Raschid P 
(or, Rosetta), we perceived its domes and turrets, ap- 
parently upon the opposite side of an immense lake or 
sea, that covered all the intervening space between us 
and the city. Not having in my own mind at the time 
any doubt as to the certainty of its being water, and 
seeing the tall minarets and buildings of Rosetta, with 
all its groves of dates and sycamores, as perfectly re- 
flected by it as by a mirror, insomuch that even the 
minutest detail of the architecture, and the trees, 
might have been thence delineated, I applied to the 
Arabs to be informed in what manner we were to pass 
the water. Our interpreter, although a Greek, and, 
therefore, likely to have been informed of such a spec- 
tacle, was as fully convinced as any of us, that we 

Repeat Dr. Clarke's account of the Mirage. 



160 



THE MIRAGE. 



were drawing near to the water's edge, and became 
indignant, when the Arabs_maintained, that within an 




hour we should reach Roset.a, by crossing the sands 
in the direct line we then pursued, ,and that there was 
no water. 'What !' said he, giving way to his impa- 
tience, ' do you suppose me an idiot, to be persuaded 
contrary to the evidence of my senses ?' The Arabs, 
smilin-, soon pacified him, and completely astomshed 
the whole party, by desiring us to look back at the 
Desert we had already passed, where we beheld a 
precisely similar appearance. It was, in fact, the mt- 
rfl^e, a prodigy to which every one of us were then 
strangers ; although it afterwards became more famil- 



THE MIRAGE. 161 

iar. Yet, upon no future occasion did we ever behold 
this extraordinary illusion so marvellously displayed. 
The view of it afforded us ideas of the horrible despon- 
dency to which travellers must sometimes be exposed, 
who, in traversing the interminable Desert, destitute 
of water, and perishing with thirst, have sometimes 
this deceitful prospect before their eyes.' " 

''This is a pretty account; but what did Isaiah 
mean, when he said, ' that the glowing sands should 
become a pool P " 

"- 1 always like, Harry, to hear j^ou inquire after 
the meaning of things. The prophet was speaking of 
the blessings which should result from the coming of 
Messiah. Then, he says ; 

* The desert and the waste shall be glad ; 
And the wilderness shall rejoice and flourish ; 
Like the rose shall it beautifully flourish ; 
Then shall be unclosed the eyes of the blind ; 
And the ears of the deaf shall be opened ; 
Then shall the lame bound like the hart ; 
And the tongue of the dun^b shall sing ; 
For in the wilderness shall burst forth waters, 
And torrents in the desert : 
And the glowing sand shall become a pool.** 

Repeat Lowth's version of Isaiahi 
* Lowth's Version. 

11 



162 THE MIRAGE. 

'' That is, the very mirage shall not only seem 
water, but shall actually become so, and refresh the 
people who pass by it : or, without any figure, that, 
in consequence of the coming and work of Messiah, 
there should be, even among the lowest and degraded 
of our race, an astonishing plenitude of blessings ; 
and these glorious predictions shall assuredly be ac- 
complished." 

" You remind me, father, of ' The Messiah,' which 
you gave me to learn not long since." 

'' The subject, Harry, is the same. Who can help 
Baying— 

* Rise, crown'd with light, imperial Salem, rise ! 
Exalt thy towering head, and lift thine eyes ! 
See ! a long race thy spacious courts adorn ; 
See 1 future soas and daughters yet unborn, 
In crowding ranks on every side arise, 
Demanding life, impatient for the skies ! 
See ! Heaven its sparkling portals wide display, 
And break upon thee in the flood of day !' " 

What is the meaning of tlie version 1 Repeat some lines from the 3Iessiah, 



[ 163 J 



THE SIMOOM. 

^^ Having noticed the Mirage, I will mention the 
Simoom, so common in the East. Isaiah represents 
the Almighty as saying, in reference to the army of 
Sennacherib, ' I will send a blast upon it.' It is suppos- 
ed, by many, that it was destroyed by this fierce pes- 
tilential wind. It is often instantaneously fatal. A 
traveller in Arabia, alluding to it, says, ' It sometimes 
happens, that, during an excessive heat, there comes 
a breath of air still more burning ; and then both men 
and beasts being already overpowered and faint, this 
increase of heat entirely deprives them of respiration. 

'' Mr. Bruce refers several times, in his ' Travels.' 
to this burning wind. He says, ' We had no sooner 
got into the plains, than we felt great symptoms of 
the Simoom ; and about a quarter before twelve, our 
prisoner first, and then Idris, called out, ' The Simoom! 
The Simoom !' My curiositj^- would not suffer me to 
fall down without looking behind me ; about due south, 
a little to the east, I saw the coloured haze, as before. 
It seemed now to be rather less compressed, and to 

What does Isaiah represent the Almighty as saying 1 What is supposed by 
many '? What does a traveller in Arabia say of the Simoom 1 What does 
Mr. Bruce sav '? 



164 GOLn. 

have with it a shade of blue ; the edges of it were not 
defined as those of the former, but like a very thin 
smoke, with about a yard in the middle tinged with 
those colours. We all fell upon our faces, and the 
Simoom passed with a gentle ruffling wind. It con^ 
tinned to blow in this manner till near three o'clock ; 
so that we were all taken ill that night, and strength 
was scarcely left us to load the camels and arrange the 
baggage. Thus God can cut off the proudest host by 
a blast of wind. Well might the prophet exclaim, 
* Who would not fear Thee, thou King of Nations ?"" 



GOLD. 

^' There ate many allusions to Eastern eustams and 
objects in the Scriptures which one does not observe 
without attentive thought. I detected one, last even- 
ing, which I had not noticed before.'^ 

'^ Will you mention it, father ?" 

" Zechariah, in his ninth chapter, and the third 
verse, says, ' Tyre did build herself a strong hold, and 



How can God cut off tlie proudest host 1 What does tlie propliet exclaim T 
What does Zechariah say in his ninth chapter 1 



WATER SPOUTS. 165 

heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire 
of the streets.' At first sight, perhaps, this text might 
convey an idea of immense riches ; but it will display 
those riches in a much stronger light, if we consider 
what a traveller has said of a town of the East. ' The 
common mud,' says he, ' formed into brick, and dried 
in the sun, of which the houses are built, have, at 
some distance, the appearance of white stone. The 
short duration of such materials is not the only objec- 
tion to them ; for they make the streets dusty when 
there is wind ; and dirty when there is rain. These 
inconveniences are felt at Damascus, which is mostly 
built in this way.' Maundrell observes, 'that after a 
violent rain at Damascus, the whole city becomes, by 
the washing of the houses, as it were, a quagmire.' " 
'' Looking at the text in this way, gold, like ' the 
mire of the streets,' would be abundant gold." 



WATER SPOUTS. 

" I HAVE been putting down several texts to ask you 
about, father, and I hope you will be so kind as to ex- 
plain them." 

How are the houses built in tlie East 1 What of Damascus after rain 1 



166 DOOR-WAYS AND GATES- 

'' What are they ?" 

'^ One is in the forty-second Psahii, and the seventh 
verse. David says, ' Deep calleth unto deep at the 
njise of thy water-spouts ; all thy waves and thy 
billows have gone over me.' Did the water-spouts fall 
on him ?" 

''No, my dear, not literally so ; but his afflictions 
were such, that he compared them to waves and break- 
ers going" over him, and to the water-spouts over- 
whelming him. It was very natural for him to use 
this imagery, as expressive of the greatness of his 
trouble, as Dr. Shaw tells us, that water spouts are 
morefrequent on the Jewish coast than in any other 
part of the Mediterranean." 



DOOR-WAYS AND GATES. 

''I don't understand Proverbs xvii. 19. I wish you 
would explain it ; Solomon says, ' He that exalteth his 
gate, seeketh destruction.' " 



What does David say in the 42d Psalm "? To what does he compare his 
afflictions 1 Where are water spouts frequent 1 What allusion is made m 
Proverbs XVIL 19 % 



DOOR-WAYS AND GATES. 167 

\ ^^ It is supposed, and I think with much probability, 
that here is an allusion to a nriode of violent attack 
which is still prevalent among the Arabs. These ban- 
ditti are accustomed, if the door-ways are large 
enough, to ride into the houses of those whom they 
mean to plunder. To hinder them from doing so, a 
traveller tells us, that the door of the house in which 
the French merchants lived at Rama was not three 
feet high, and that all the door-ways in that town are 
equally low. A gentleman, referring to his entrance 
into a monastery near Jerusalem, says, ^ The passage 
is so low that it will scarcely admit a horse ; and it is 
shut by a gate of iron, strongly secured in the inside. 
As soon as we entered, it was again made fast with 
various bolts and bars of iron ; a precaution extremely 
necessary in a desert place, exposed to the incursioils 
and insolent attacks of the Arabs.' Other travellers 
give a similar testimony. ' The poor miserable Arabs 
are under the necessity of hewing their houses out of 
the rock, and cutting very small doors, or openings to 
them, that they may not be made stables for the Turk- 
ish horse, as they pass and repass. We lodged under 
an arch in a little court, together with our asses ; the 

What is a practice among the Arabs *? How are tliey prevented from enter- 
ing a door 1 Wliat is said of a monastery near Jerusalem 1 What does a 
traveller say of the manner of building among the Arabs 1 



168 DOOR-WAYS AND GATES. 

door was exceedingly low, to withstand the sudden 
entrance of the insolent Turks.' So, you see, Harry, 
that to ' exalt the gate,' or to make a large entrance 
into a house, would most likely be followed with pain- 
ful consequences, if not with destruction." 

'' Thank you, father, you have made it very plain. 
I couldnotthink what the meaning of the passage was." 

^' It is probable, that the markets in ancient times 
were held at the gates of cities. Job xxix. 7 ; 2 Chron. 
xviii. 9. It appears, that in the time of our Lord, 
markets were places of common resort. Matt, xxiii. 
7 ; Mark xii. 38. And it seems likely, that persons of 

Job xxix. 7. When I went out to the gate through the city, 
when I prepared my seat in the street. 

2 Chron. xviii. 9. And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat 
king of Judah sat either of them on his throne clothed in their 
robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the 
gate of Samaria. 

3Iatt. xxiii. 7. And greetings in the markets and to be called 
. of men Rabbi, Rabbi. 

Mark xii. 38. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Be- 
ware of the Scribes which love to go in long clothing, and love 
salutations in the market places. 

What would follow exalting the gate in the East '? What is probable con- 
cerning markets 1 Repeat verses from Job and Chronicles. When were mar- 
kets places of common resort 1 Repeat verses from Matthew and Mark* 



BALANCES. 169 

different professions lived in streets by themselves, 
like the booksellers in London, who chiefly reside in 
Paternoster Row, or St. Paid's Churchyard, as we 
read of the street which was appropriated to the ba- 
kers, in Jer. xxxvii. 21." 

[ SL ] 



BALANCES. 



*' What does weighing in the balances mean fa- 
ther ?" 

" It is not improbable that there is an allusion to a 
practice that was not uncommon in the East ; of 
weighing the monarch once, or twice, or more times 
a year, to ascertain the state of the king's health. A 
traveller, who was at the court of the Emperor of 
Mogul on his birthday tells us, that in the presence of 

Jer. xxxvii. 21. That they should give him daily a piece of 
bread out of the baker's street^ until all the bread in the city 
were spent. 

Dan. V. 27. Sekel ; thou art weighed in the balances, and 
found wanting. 

What seems likely 1 Repeat a Terse from Jeremiah ; and one from Daniel. 
What practice was common in the East 1 Give an account o^ *he ceremony 
of weighing the Emperor of Mogul. 



170 BALANCES. 

his principal grandees he was weighed in a balance. 
The ceremony was performed in his palace, in a spa- 
cious room, whereinto none were admitted bat by- 
special leave. The scales in which he was thus 
weighed were plated with gold ; and so was the beam, 
on which they hung by great chains, made likewise of 
that precious metal. The king, sitting in one of them, 
was weighed first against silver coin, which immedi- 
ately afterwards was distributed among the poor; 
then he was weighed against gold ; after that, against 
jewels, each of which were laid in silver bags on the 
contrary scale. ' When I saw him in the balance,' 
says Sir T. Roe, ' I thought on Belshazzar, who was 
found too light. By his weight, his physicians pre- 
sume to guess of the present state of his body, of 
which they always speak flatteringly.' " 

'' It seems as if there were an allusion to this prac- 
tice in the words addressed to Belshazzar; but you 
have not told me in what he was ' found wanting.' " 

" These expressions mean, that he was very far 
from being what he ought. He was wanting in rever- 
ence for the Divine Majesty, in love to Him, in regard 
for His glory ; he was found "wanting in temperance, 



Where is allosion made to this practice of weighing the monarch 1 In 
what was Belshazzar found wanting 1 



SALUTATION. 171 

and in becoming views for the real welfare of the sub- 
jects committed to his care. I am afraid, Harry, that 
the best of our race, and how much more then those 
who are the most faulty, would be found in similar cir- 
cumstances, if they were weighed in the balances of 
the sanctuary, — that is, if their characters were esti- 
mated by the decisions of the Scriptures. You know, 
even Job said, when thinking of his sins before God, 
' Behold, I am vile !' " ' 



SALUTATION. 



"I HAVE another passage to mention out of Daniel.^" 

" What is it ?" 

" When, the wise men came into the presence of 
the king, they said, ' king, live for ever ?' You know 
father, he could not live for ever." 

" True, Harry. It was a piece of Eastern flattery ; 
yet it is capable of a very good meaning. We may 
regard it as a prayer ; as if they had said. May the 
king live, and be happy for ever. These are blessings 



How would the best men probably appear under the same circumstances % 
What did Job say 1 What did the wise men say to the king 1 



172 SALUTATION. 

which, you know, Harry, we frequently ask God to 
bestow on ourselves. ^But this ancient wish and 
address to the throne seems most manifestly to have 
taken its rise from an ancient and original apprehen- 
sion, that those who could obtain favour and mercy 
through the promised Messiah would really live for 
ever ; and have not only as great, but greater powers 
to be useful hereafter, than they have had on earth.' " 

'^ Something like this is still kept up in the Eastern 
courts. Elphinstone, in his account of the kingdom 
of Caubul, says, ' On coming in sight of the king, we 
all pulled off our hats, and made a low bow ; we then 
held up our hands towards Heaven, as if praying for 
the king, and afterwards advanced to the fountain, 
where the minister repeated our names, ending thus : 
^ They have come from Europe as ambassadors to 
your Majesty. May your misfortunes be turned upon 
me !' Some form of prayer like this is always used 
in addressing the king. It corresponds to the ' king, 
live for ever!' of the ancient Persians." 

'' The common modes of salutation in the East were 
and are very different from those among us. It ap- 
pears from many parts of the Scriptures, that when 

What may we regard this salutation 1 From what did it take its rise 1 What 
does Elphinstone say of the kingdom of Caubul 1 How did the Persians ad- 
dress their king 1 What appears from the Scriptures 1 



SALUTATION. 173 

people met each other, they said,^ The Lord be with 
thee !' or, ' The Lord bless thee V or, 'Blessed be thou 
of the Lord !' or, ' Peace be with thee !' This term 
they used as including in it all that was good or desir- 
able. 

" The apostle Peter exhorted those to whom he 
wrote to be ' courteous.' Every real Christian will be 
so ; he cannot be otherwise. True piety will influence 
a man to be all that is amiable in all the relations of 
life ; pursuing ' whatsoever things are just, true, pure, 
lovely, and of good report.' 

'' Our Lord also directed His disciples when they 
entered into a house, to salute it, and to say, ' Peace 
be to this house !' But yet he said to the same individ- 
uals, when He sent them out to preach the Gospel, 
' Salute no man by the way !' His meaning doubtless 
was, that they were not to waste their time in empty 
ceremonies, but to hasten on to the scene of labour, 
as those who had business of the utmost importance 
to execute* This, also, was evidently the meaning of 
the prophet, in 2 Kings iv. 29." 

2 Kings iv. 29. If thou meet any man, salute him not ; and 
if any salute thee, answer him not again. 

To what did the apostle Peter exhort men '? What eflfectwill true piety have 
on a man 1 What did our Lord direct his disciples to do 1 What did this di* 
rection mean 1 Repeat a verse from Kings, 



[ 174] 



MOLOCH. 

"I WANT now to ask you about Leviticus xviii. 21. 
^ Thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the 
fire to Moloch ?' Who was Moloch, father ?" 

'' A dreadful idol god of the East. A learned Jew 
gives the following description of him ; ' It was a 
statue with the head of an ox, and the hands stretched 
out as a man's who opens his hands to receive some- 
thing from another. It was hollow within ; and there 
were seven chapels raised, before which the idol was 
erected. He that offered a fowl, or young pigeon, 
went into the first chapel ; if he offered a sheep or a 
lamb, he went into the second ; if a ram, into the 
third ; if a calf, into the fourth ; if a bullock, into the 
fifth ; if an ox, into the sixth ; but he only who offer- 
ed his own son, went into the seventh chapel, and 
kissed the idol. The child was placed before the idol, 
and a fire made under the statue till it became red-hot. 
Then the priest took the child, and put him into the 
glowing hands of Moloch. And lest the parents 
should hear his cries, they beat drums to drown the 
noise. The place, therefore, was called Topheth from 
a word signifying drums." 

Who was Moloch 1 Describe him. 



MOLOCH. 175 

" How very shocking !" 

" It is indeed, Harry. Well does Milton say, 

* Moloch ! horrid king, besmear'd with blood 
Of human sacrifice and parents' tears !' 

" But idolatry is altogether an awful subject. How 
degrading to rational beings, that they should pass by 
the great, and good, and wise, and just, and gracious 
God, ' the King eternal, immortal, invisible,' the Crea- 
tor, the Father and the Friend of man, to bow down 
to dumb idols, which ' have eyes, but see not ; and 
ears, but hear not ; and hands, but handle not ; and 
feet, but walk not.' " 

'' And be so cruel !" 

'' True, Harry. Dr. Buchanan tells us, that he 
knew he was approaching the temple of Jaggernaut, 
the Moloch of the East, sixty miles before he actually 
arrived at it, by the human bones which he saw every 
where bleaching on the sands. How thankful ought 
we to be for the pure light of Divine Revelation ! and 
how ought we to respect good men, of every denom- 
ination, who leave their native land to do away such 
abominations from the face of the earth !" 



What does Milton say of Moloch 1 What is the effect of idolatry '* What 
does Dr. Buchanan tell us 1 



[ l'^6 j 

GARMENTS. 

^' Was not the dress of the people in the East very 
peculiar, father ?" 

''No doubt it was. It is curious to think how dress 
has varied since our first parents were clothed with 
skins in Paradise ; though a large proportion of our 
race, who are uncivilized, still wear them." 

" And they would be very comfortable to the Esqui- 
maux, whom Captain Parry speaks of in his Journal ; 
for they are always among snow and ice, — would they 
not ?" 

" Surely they would ; and he tells us that they are 
thus clothed. But the people in the East are gener- 
ally clothed in a much superior way. Joseph's coat, 
wrought on purpose for him by the indulgent fondness 
of his father, cannot but remind one of a handsome 
Scottish plaid, such as I have seen over the shoulders 
of the chiefs of the clans in the northern Highlands. 

" Dr. Shaw says, 'The usual size of the upper gar- 
ment worn in the East is six yards long, and five or 
six feet wide. They not only wear it by day, but 
they cover themselves with it at night, like the Israel- 



How are the Esquimaux clothed 1 Of what does Joseph's coat remind us ? 
What does Dr. Shaw say of oriental dresses 1 



GARMENTS* 177 

Ites spoken of Dent. xxiv. 13. Indeed such a covering 
was necessary in those countries, as, although the 
heat of the day is very great, the nights are generally 
cold. Such a garment was loose and troublesome to the 
wearer ; he was obliged to tuck it up, and fold it round 
him. This made a girdle necessary, wherever they 
were actively employed ; and it explains the Scripture 
expression, ' having our loins girded,' when called 
upon to be active in performing any duty.' " 

" I think I have read, that the purse used to be in 
the girdle." 

"It was; this was usually made of worsted, and 
richly wrought, Prov. xxxi. 24. Girdles passed sev* 
eral times round the body, and one end was sewed up 
as a purse. 

Deut. xxiv. 13. In any case, thou shalt deliver him the 
pledge ag-ain when the sun goeth down^ that he may sleep in 
his own raiment, and bless thee. 

Proverbs xxxi. 24. She maketh fine linen and selleth it ; and 
delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 



Repeat a verse from Deuteronomy. What is the climate in the East 1 Wliy 
is a girdle necessary to an eastern garment '? What Scripture expression is 
there concerning it 1 Where was the purse carried 1 Repeat a verse froai 
Proverbs. What is said of girdles 1 

n 



178 



GARMENTS. 



'' Under the upper garment, there was another 
which more closely fitted the body. It is supposed 




that our Saviour's coat, ' woven without seam,' was 
of this kind. Over all, the Jews wore a sort of cloak, 
with a hood to it, to preserve them from the rain or 
the cold. These long outer garments were laid aside, 
when persons wished to engage in any labour. Our 
Lord did so, when he washed his disciples' feet* 
These seem to have been the garments which were 
spread in the way, when the Redeemer entered in His 
triumph into Jerusalem. The recollection of lon^ 
dresses of this fashion explains many passages of the 



What was under the upper garment 1 What coat did our Saviour wear T 
What cloak did the Jews wear 1 When were these long garments laid aside T^ 
What were spread in the Redeemer's way 1 



GARMENTS. 179 

Sacred Scriptures ; such as. Gen. xxvii. 15. ; 1 Sam. 
xviii. 4. ; Luke xv. 22, 

" A great number of splendid garments were regard- 
ed as among the greatest treasures of the East. Our 
Lord represents Dives not only as ' faring sumptu- 
ously every day, but as being clothed in purple and 
fine linen.' " 

''Joseph must have been a very rich man, father ; 
how many clothes he must have had !" 

"What makes you think so, Harry ?" 

" Why, the Bible says, that after he had made him- 
self known to his brethren, he gave them wagons to 
fetch his father into Egypt ; and ' to all of them he 
gave each man changes of raiment ; but to Benjamin 

Gen. xxvii. 15. And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her 
eldest son Esau which were with her in the house, and put 
them upon Jacob her younger son. 

1 Sam. xviii. 4. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe 
that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, 
even to his sword, and to his bow and to his girdle. 

Luke XV. 2:2. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth 
the best robe, and put it on him. 

What explains many passages of Scripture 1 How are a number of gar- 
ments considered in the East 1 How is Dives represented 1 Why must Joseph 
have had many garments 1 What does the Bibte say of him 1 



180 GARMENTS. 

he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five chan- 
ges of raiment.' 

" Changes of raiment and garments were, and still 
are, among the principal treasures of the rich men in 
the East. Naaman, when he left Syria, to visit Elisha, 
* took with him ten talents of silver, and ten changes 
of raiment.' It is said, that, when Solomon came to 
the throne, ' they brought away every man his present, 
vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, and 
harness, and spices, horses and mules, a rate, year by 
year.' 

" When a French ambasador had an audience of the 
Sultan, he, and his suite, after they had been regaled 
with coffee, sweetmeats, and perfumes, ' were clothed 
in vests of silver brocade, with large silk flowers . and 
to those who were admitted into the apartments with 
them, they gave others of brocade, almost all of silk, 
except some slight gold or silver flowers, according ta 
the custom usually observed towards all foreign min- 
isters.' 

" Chardin says, that ' kings constantly give splendid 
raiment to ambassadors, and send them to princes. 
They pay great attention to the quality or merit of 



What is said of Naaman 7 Of Solomcn'? How did a Sultan ^tertaio » 
Fiench ambassador 1 What does Chardin say of kings 1 



GARMENTS. 181 

those to whom these vestments are given ; which are 
always answerable to their rank. The kings of Persia 
have great wardrobes, in which are always many 
hundreds of habits ready designed for presents, and 
sorted. There are envoys who have received twen- 
ty-five or thirty of them for themselves and attend- 
ants. A king of Persia, in 1675, sent a very hand- 
some present to a young prince who came to visit him ; 
among other things, there were five complete suits of 
raiment.' 

^^ But not only have great princes an abundance of 
beautiful garments ; this is the case with all persons 
of any rank in society. This subject illustrates a very 
striking passage in the New Testament ; I refer to the 
parable of the marriage-feast. Matt. xxii. There was 
a person present who had not on ' a wedding garment ;' 
and the king, when he saw him, was much displeased. 
'' Persons making an entertainment,' says Doddridge, 
* sometimes furnished the habits in which the guests 
were to appear, as appears from the 'Odyssey' of 
Homer, We may therefore conclude, not only from 
the magnificence of the preparations to which we 
must suppose the wardrobe of the prince corresponded, 



Have ail persons many fine garments 1 What does this fact illustrate 1 What 
does Doddridge say 1 What may we conclude 1 



182 GARMENTS. 

but likewise from tne following circumstance of the 
resentment against this guest, that a robe was offered, 
but refused by him. A circumstance, which, as a 
great writer remarks, is admirably suited to the meth- 
od of God's dealing with us ; who indeed requires 
holiness, in order to our receiving the benefits of the 
Gospel, but is graciously pleased to work it in us by 
His Holy Spirit ; and therefore may justly resent and 
punish our neglect of so great a favour." 

''I think, father, I like the Scriptures better and 
better, every time I hear you talk about the Eastern 
customs." 

'' I hope you do, Harry ; and the reason is plain, — 
because, I hope you understand them better. We 
cannot be expected to feel much interest in that which 
we do not understand." 

''But how gay and fine the garments are in the 
East !" 

''They are, indeed. We should not, however, for- 
get, that it is the mark of a little mind, to be vain of 
mere outward show. A man is still the same, in what- 
ever raiment he may be clad. Very beautiful garments 
are often worn by ignorant and worthless persons ; 



What is God's method of dealing with us 1 Are the garments of the East 
gay and fine 1 What must we not forget 1 



GARMENTS. 183 

and, on the contrary, homely apparel may array indi- 
viduals of the highest virtue and excellence." 

" You remind me, father, of some lines which 
mother taught me, when I was a very little boy, — 

«The tulip and the butterfly 

Appear in gayer coats than I ; 
Let me be drest fine as I will, 

Flies, worms, and flowers exceed me stilL 

* Then will I set my heart to find 
Inward adornings of the mind ; 
Knowledge and virtue, truth and grace ; 
These are the robes of richest dress. 

* No more shall worms with me compare ; 
This is the raiment angels wear ; 

The Son of God, when here below, 
Put on this blest apparel too. 

* It never fades, it ne'er grows old. 
Nor fears the rain, nor moth, nor mold ; 
It takes no spot, but still refines ; 

The more 'tis worn, the more it shines. 

* In this on earth would I appear. 
Then go to Heav'n, and wear it there ; 
God will approve it in His sight ; 

'Tis His own work, and His delight.' " 

Repeat some verses of poetry. 



[ 184 ] 



THRESHING. 

" Have you seen the new machine with which they 
are threshing out the corn which they got in yester- 
day, Harry ?" 

'' Yes, father ; John shewed it me, last evening, and 
he explained how it worked. I was much pleased 
with it." 

^' But you saw many fine pieces of mechanism when 
you visited your cousin at Manchester, did you not ? 
The perfection of machinery, I think, is at Manches- 
ter." 

'' Yes ; I shall never forget the spinning jennies." 

'' They are indeed exceedingly useful. Do you 
know whom they were invented by ?" 

^'No, father." 

" You ought to have known this. I have often told 
you, that the way by which I have acquired much 
knowledge is, by making inquiries about every thing 
which I see. Never be afraid of asking questions ; 
artists and workmen are pleased to answer them, be- 
cause they think you feel an interest in their labours ; 
and thus you gain knowledge very cheaply and very 

VTho inveated the spinning -jenny 1 



THRESHING. 185 

delightfully. James Hargreaves, a carpenter of Black- 
burn, constructed the first spinning-jenny in 1767 ; so 
that now a little girl will work one hundred and twenty 
spindles. To the indelible disgrace of his age and 
country, he died in a workhouse at Nottingham. 

" When I was at Manchester, I gained very much 
knowledge on the subject of machinery, which delight- 
ed and astonished me. John Pollard, of that town, 
in 1792, spun on the mule^ as it is called, no fewer 
than two hundred and seventy-eight hanks of yarn, 
forming a thread of two hundred and thirty-three thous- 
and five hundred and twenty yards; or upwards of , 
one hundred and thirty-two thousand five hundred and 
twenty yards ; or upwards of one hundred and thirty- 
two miles in length ; and all this from a single pound 
of raw cotton !" 

" How wonderful !" 

'' But don't you recollect any other machines which 
were shewn you, when at your cousin's ?" 

" No, father, except the power looms." 

"Except the power looms! Why, Harry, what 
would you wish to see ? They are the most astonishing 
productions of all, Harry. Mr. Cartwright, a clergy- 



Where did he die *? How much yarn was spun in Manchester in 1792 from 
one pound of raw cotton 1 Who invented the power loom, and in what year 1 



186 THRESHING. 

man of Kent, invented the power-loom, or weaving- 
mill, in 1787. The results of this machine are indeed 
amazing. But we will talk of British machinery more 
at large another time. Let us think of the threshing- 
machine." 

" It is a new invention, father, — is it not ?" 

''Yes; and this method of threshing forms a won- 
derful contrast to that which prevailed in the earlier 
ages of the world, and which is many times referred to 
in the Scriptures." 

''Will you mention a passage or two, father .^" 

"Speaking of the husbandman, the Prophet Isaiah 
says, 

" ' For his God rightly instruct eth him ; he furnish- 
eth him with knowledge ; 

" ' The dill is not beaten out with the corn-drag ; 

" ' Nor is the wheel of the wain made to turn on the 
cummin ; 

" ' But the dill is beaten out with the staff; 

"'And the cummin with the flail; but the bread- 
corn with the threshing-wain. 

" ' But not for ever will he continue thus to thresh it ; 

" ' Nor to vex it with the wheel of his wain ; 

" ' Nor to bruise it with the hoofs of his cattle. 

Repeat some verses from Isaiah concerning the manner of threshing. 



THRESHING. 187 

" ^ This also proceedeth from Jehovah, God of 
Hosts ; 

" ^ He showeth himself wonderful in counsel, great 
in operation.'^ 

" ' Four methods,' says Bishop Lowth, ' of threshing 
are here mentioned by different instruments ; the^aii, 
the drag^ the waiuj and the treading of the cattle. The 
staff, or flail, was used for such grain as was too ten- 
der to be treated in the other methods. The drag 
consisted of a frame of strong planks, made rough at 
the bottom with hard stones or iron : it was drawn by 
horses or oxen over the corn-sheaves spread on the floor, 
the driver sitting upon it. The wain was much like the 
former, but had wheels with iron teeth, or edges like 
a saw ; by which it should seem that the axle was 
armed with iron teeth or saw-like wheels throughout. 
Such a machine is used at present in Egypt for the 
same purpose : it moves upon three rollers, armed 
with iron teeth, or wheels, to cut the straw. In Syria, 
they make use of the drag, constructed in the very 
same manner as above described. This not only 
forced out the grain, but cut the straw in pieces for 

How many metliods ot tlireshing are mentioned by Bishop Lowth 1 What is 
the staff or flail % What is the drag *? What is the wain 1 What do they use 
in Syria 1 

* Lowth's Is. xxviii. 26—29, 



188 THRESHIXG. 

fodder for the cattle; for, in the Eastern countries, 
they have no hay. This last method is well known 
from the Law of Moses, which forbids ' the ox to be 
muzzled when he treadeth out the corn.' 

^' Thus Isaiah uses this subject as he does every 
other which he touches, in the most striking manner. 
In his twenty-fifth chapter he says. 

'''For the hand of Jehovah shall give rest upon 
this mountain : 

'* ^ And Moab shall be threshed in his place, 

" 'As the straw is threshed under the wheels of the 
car.' 

*' *That is, he will appear for the salvation and es- 
tablishment of his people : but that he will utterly 
confound and destroy their enemies, even 

'• • As the straw is threshed under the wheels of 
the car.' 

"How striking and impressive is the comparison!'' 

"You always praise Isaiah, father, whenever you 
quote him. T think you admire him more than any 
other writer in the Old Testament.'' 

'^ You are right. Harry. In the Old Testament, you 
say ^ you imagine, then, that I have a favourite in the 
•M?i» also. I suppose :'' 

Ha-^^ '-^- ' ^'- "^- -'--^ E^.5: ] Wua: 6yei the Law of Moses forbid 1 Repeat 
tome 



THRESHING. 189 

" Yes, father, I am sure of this. John is your fa- 
vourite in the New Testament." 

'' Perhaps there is some truth in what you say^ 
Harry ; though I greatly value the whole of the Book 
of God." 

" Do they ever muzzle the oxen in the East ?" 

'' No ; it is a remarkable fact, that they never were^ 
nor are they muzzled to this day." 

" What is meant by the command that we are not 
to muzzle the ox ?" 

'^ The Apostle applies the text to the ministers of 
the Gospel, as an intimation, that it is becoming, that 
those who prepare food for others, should not be de- 
nied a portion for themselves. But to return more 
particularly to the subject ; Shaw informs us, that in 
Barbary the cattle are employed in treading out the 
corn." 

^' But you have not said any thing about the barns 
of the people in the East, father." 

" Their threshing floors were usually, and still are, 
round level plats of ground in the open air. This was 
evidently the case with Gideon's floor ; and also that 



Are oxen muzzled in the East 1 What is meant by the command that we are 
not to muzzle the ox 1 What does Shaw tell us 1 What were the threshing 
floors of the East 1 



190 



THRESHING. 



of Araimah, or else he could not have had an altar on 
it, to offer sacrifice. This made them very convenient 
for winnowing, as they had all the advantage of the 
free gales. 

" Homer describes the method of threshing, which 
was common in his times ; 

' As with autumnal harvests cover 'd o*er, 
And thick bestrewn lies Ceres' sacred floor, 
When round and round, with never-wearied pain. 
The trampling steers beat out th' unnumber'd grain.' 

Iliady XX. 495. 

^'In Egypt," says Sonnini, "the use of the flail is 
unknown. To separate the grain from the straw, the 
inhabitants prepare with a mixture of earth and 
pigeons' dung spacious floors, well beat, and very 
clean. The rice is spread thereon in thick layers ; 
they have then a sort of cart, formed of two pieces 




What does Homer say of this mode of threshing 1 How is threshing per- 
formed in Egypt 1 



THRESHING. 191 

of wood joined together by two cross pieces ; it is 
almost in the shape of sledges, which serve for the 




conveyance of burdens in the streets of our cities. 
Between the longer sides of this sledge are fixed trans- 
versely three rows of small wheels, made of sohd iron, 




and narrowed off towards their circumference. On 
the fore part is a wide and high seat, upon which a 



192 THRESHING. 

man sits, driving two oxen, harnessed to the machine. 
The whole moves on slowly, and always in a circular 
direction, over every part of the heap of rice, until 
there remains no more grain in the straw. When it 
is thus beaten, it is spread in the air to be dried. Sev- 
eral men walk abreast to turn it over, each of 
whom, with his foot, makes a furrow in the layer of 
grain ; so that, in a few moments, the whole mass is 
moved, and that part which was underneath is again 
exposed to the air." 

"The people in the East, father, do not seem to 
have made much improvement in things ; though so 
many years have passed away." 

"This is the truth. Yet the sameness of their cus- 
toms and manners finely illustrates the meaning of the 
Scriptures, and proves even the minute fidelity of the 
sacred penmen. The people in the eastern part of the 
world appear to be stationary in every thing. They 
go on precisely in the track of their ancestors. They 
make but very little improvement in any thing, and no 
discoveries in science. Europe, though not to be 
named with Asia, in reference to population, is yet a 
far more important part of the world, in almost every 
point of view. Our little island, you know, holds an 

What is said of the maimers and customs of the people in the East 1 



THRESHING. 193 

immense portion of the East under its dominion. I 
scarcely know a more striking illustration of the 
famous axiom of Bacon, that 'knowledge is power.' " 

" Then, father, we should try to know every thing, 
—should we not ?" 

''Yes, Harry; we should be constantly endeavour- 
ing to excel in knowledge. This is one important 
point, in which the human race is distinguished from 
the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air. They 
acquire no information worthy of being mentioned as 
knowledge. Bat man is capable of examining and of 
knowing all things, and especially he has a mind capa- 
ble of knowing and of loving God. ' The spirit of the 
Almighty hath given him understanding.' " 

" You said, father, that knowledge is one thing, by 
which we are distinguished from the animals around 
us. Will you tell me some other ?" 

" Think, yourself, Harry, and you will find many. 
I will however mention one. Man has a capacity of 
distinguishing between right and wrong, of approving 
the one, and of abhorring the other ; hence he is the 
subject of God's moral government, and evidently be- 

Do they make any discoveries in science 1 How does Europe compare with 
Asia 1; What does Bacon say of knowledge 1 How is the human race distin- 
guished from beasts and birds '? What hath the spirit of the Almighty given to 
man 1 In what other way is man distinguished from the brute 1 

13 



194 POSTURE. 

comes an accountable creature. Hence arise aur obli- 
gations to improve our time and our talents for the 
great purposes for which they were given." 
" You often talk, father, of our accountability." 
"Those, Harry, who have to give an account to 
God, should often think of the solemn subject, and not 
only think of it, but fervently pray that they may ap- 
pear at that reckoning ' with joy, and not with grief.' " 



POSTURE. 

" In the discourse which you read in the family on 
the Sunday evening, father, it was said, that the peo- 
ple in the East used to lie on couches at their meals." 

" They did so, Harry ; and this is still the case in 
many parts of the East. And this circumstance will 
illustrate many passages of the Scriptures." 

" In the Book of Samuel, it is said, that ^ David sat 
before the Lord.' Pococke, Mr. Harmer remarks, has 
given the figure of a person half sitting and half 

What is said in the Book of Samuel 1 What ought we to do therefore T 
What should those do who are to account to God 1 How do the people of the 
East place themselves at their meals 1 What does this fact illustrate 1 Re-^ 
peat a verse from Esther. 



POSTURE. 



195 



kneeling ; that is, kneeling so as to rest his body on 
his heels. This is the manner in which inferior per- 
sons sit at this day before great men, and is considered 
as a very humble posture. In this manner, probably, 
David sat before the Lord, when he went into the 
sanctuary to bless God for His promise respecting his 
family." 

" But I referred to their posture at meals." 
" Well, Harry, we will notice it. They were accus- 
tomed to have three tables ; two long ones joined to 
one shorter at one end ; the other end was open, and 




What has Pococke given 1 How do inferior persons sit before great men 1 
How did David probably sit before the Lord 1 



196 POSTURE. 

was very convenient for the approach of the servants 
to the guests, and in many instances the tables were 
arranged so as to form a half circle, around which 
were rows of couches, on which persons got up by the 
aid of a footstool, and placed themselves in a recum- 
bent posture. This view of the subject finely illus- 
trates several passages in the Gospels. In the seventh 
of Luke, it is said, that a woman in the city who 
knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, 
brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his 
feet behind him, weeping ; and began to wash his feet 
with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her 
head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with 
ointment." 

'' It is said that she stood at Jesus' feet behind him ; 
but were not his feet before him .^" 

'' According to our views and habits, you are right, 
Harry. Our feet at table are before us. But as our 
Lord was reclining on a couch, the woman stood at 
His feet behind Him." 

^' I see how it was, father ; and so she could readily 
come to his feet, and wash them, and wipe them with 
the hairs of her head. But she could not have done 
so, if they had sat at meals as we do now." 

How were the tables arranged in the East 1 What is said in the 7Ui of 
Luke 1 Why is it said that Jesus' feet were behind him 1 



MOURNING. 197 

^* So our Lord took a basin, and went round after 
supper, and washed his disciples' feet. You see, the 
feet, as they recUned on their couches at meals, were 
easily accessible ; more so than any parts of their 
bodies ; and this view renders the Scripture narrative 
easy to be understood." 

^' Your account of the woman washing our Lord's 
feet is very plain, when we consider that they almost 
lay down on couches to their meals among the Jews." 



MOURNING. 

'' I WANTED to ask you, father, about the minstrels, 
and the people who made a great noise in the chamber 
where the damsel lay dead ; and whom our Lord, you 
know, turned out of the room ; Who were they ? Were 
they her relations ?" 

" I apprehend not, Harry. I think they must have 
been people who were hired to mourn and make a 



How does it appear easy for our Lord to have washed his disciples' feet 1 
Who were the minstrels who were in the chamber of the damsel who lay dead 1 
For what purpose are some persons hired 1 



198 MOURNING. 

" Hired to mourn !" 

" Yes, Harry ; there are still persons whose business 
it is to bewail the dead. So we read in Amos, ' Call 
such as are skilful of lamentation, to wailing*.' ' There 
are women,' says Captain Lyon, in his Travels in 
Northern Africa, ' whose sole employment it is to at- 
tend the house of mourning*, where they howl, lament, 
and tear their hair and faces in a barbarous manner. 
Their cries continue with very little intermission 
during three days ; and the additional din occa- 
sioned by their repeatedly beating wooden boxes, 
or pots, is truly horrible." 

" Why what good could this do ?" 

" None at all. Yet it is still the practice in the East, 
Dr. Clarke says, speaking of these hired mourners, 
their noise 'began about sunset, and continued with 
little intermission, not only all the night, but during 
many succeeding nights and days. We were at first 
doubtful whether the sounds we heard were expres- 
sions of joy or of lamentation. A sort of chorus, 
mixed with screams, yet regulated by the beating of 
tambourines, now swelling upon the ear, now expiring 
in cadences, was repeated continually ; and as often 



What do we read in Amos 1 What does Captain Lyon say of women in 
Northern Africa 1 What does Dr. Clarke say of hired mourners 1 



MOURNING. 199 

as it seemed to cease, we heard it renewed with in- 
creased vehemence. It was the usual ceremony of 
bewaiUng a deceased person by means of female 
mourners hired for the occasion; they exhibited the 
most frightful distortions ; having their hair dishevel- 
ed, their clothes torn, and their countenances daubed 
with paint and dirt ; they were relieved at intervals by 
other women.' "* 

'' This seems very foolish." 

"Yes, and very sinful too ; to affect a sorrow which 
they do not feel, and merely for a little paltry gain, is 
sad hypocrisy. When we lose a friend, we cannot but 
mourn ; yet it is our duty to be resigned to the will of 
God." 

'' It is said in the Scriptures, that the Egyptians 
mourned for Jacob threescore and ten days. His fu- 
neral is described in very remarkable terms. The 
sacred historian informs us, that when Joseph went 
up to the land of Canaan to bury his father, there 
went with him ^ all the servants of Pharaoh, the 
elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of 
Egypt ; and all the house of Joseph, and his brethren, 
and his father's house ; and both chariots and horse- 

Why is this practice sinful 1 
* Clarke's Travels, vol. iii. p. 72. 



200 MOURNING. 

men, a very great company. And they mourned with 
a sfreat and very sore lamentation ; and he made a 
mourning for his father seven days.' When Sir John 
Chardin was at Ispahan, in 1676, the mistress in the 
adjoining house died. ' The instant she expired,' he 
says, ' about thirty persons set up such a lamentation 
as quite alarmed him ; and they repeated these wail- 
ings at intervals, for forty days. In like manner, 
many of the Jews came to mourn with Mary and Mar- 
tha after the loss of their brother ; they followed 
Mary to the grave, supposing that she was going to 
weep there.' 

" On these occasions, there were often very unjus- 
tifiable practices. The people cut themselves, and 
tore off their hair. This was forbidden by the law, 
Deut. xiv. 1. The Prophet Jeremiah refers to this, 
chap. xvi. 6. 

Deut. xiv. 1. Ye are the children of the Lord your God ; 
ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between 
your eyes for the dead. 

Jer. xvi. 6. Both the great and the small shall die in this 
land ; they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament them, 
nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them. 

How long did the Eg}-ptiaDs mourn for Joseph ] Describe the funeral. What 
does Sir John Chardin say of a funeral at Ispahan 1 Who mourned with Mar- 
tha and Mary 1 What did the people do in cases of mourning 1 Repeat a verse 
from Deuteronomy, aad one from Jeremiah. 



MOURNING. 201 

", When the Israelites were smitten at Ai, it is said, 
that ' Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth 
upon his face before the Ark of the Lord, until the 
eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust 
upon their heads.' This must have been very unplea- 
sant, father. 

'^ Truly so, Harry ; but it was very expressive of 
their humiliation before God, and of the greatness of 
their affliction. It was by no means uncommon among 
the people in the East. When Job's friends approach- 
ed him, ' they lifted up their voice and wept ; and they 
rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust on their 
heads towards Heaven.' So the king of Nineveh, 
when the prophet announced the destruction of that 
city, arose from his throne, and laid his robe from 
him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in 
ashes." 

" Did the Romans or the Greeks express their grief 
in this manner ?" 

'' Yes, both these nations did so. Virgil, speaking 
of Latinus, says, 

-' He tears his garments as he goes, 



Both for the pubhc and his private woes ; 



What drd Joshua do when the Israelites were smitten 1 How did Job's 
friends approach him 1 What did the king of Nineveh do '? How did the Ro- 
mans and Greeks express their grief? Repeat some verses from Virgil. 



202 MOURNING. 

With filth his venerable beard besmears. 
And sordid dust deforms his silver hairs.' 

" Homer also, when speaking of Achilles bewailing 
the loss of Patroclus, says, 

* Cast on the ground, with furious hands he spread 
The scorching ashes o'er his graceful head ; 
His purple garments, and his golden hairs, 
Those he deforms with dust, and these he tears.' 

" Thus also the same Poet represents Priam bewail- 
ing the loss of his son Hector : 

* With frantic hands he spread 

A show'r of ashes o'er his neck and head.' 

^^ Many other instances might be selected of the 
same nature. Yet Christians, to whom God has given 
His gracious promises of mercy, ought not to mourn 
thus immoderately, and as the heathen ; they ought 
rather, when in trouble, to say with Eli, ' It is the 
Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good !' Or, in 
the language of that beautiful and comprehensive 
prayer which our Lord taught His disciples, ' Thy will 
be done, on earth as it is m Heaven !' 



Repeat some verses from Homer. How did Priam bewail the loss of Hector 1 
How ought Christians to mourn 1 What ought they to say in trouble 1 



[ 203 ] 

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS. 
1 Kings ii. 9. 

" You know, Harry, I have often remarked, that 
passages of Scripture, which, at first sight seem 
strange and difficult, when examined by a devout 
critic, not only appear to be excellent sense, but are 
really in a high degree beautiful. 

" I met with a fine illustration of these observations 
yesterday, in reading Dr. Kennicott's Remarks on 1 
Kings ii. 9. In this passage, David is represented as 
finishing his days with a command to Solomon to slay 
Shimei ; a most unchristian mandate, to say the least, 
because, you know, our Lord has enjoined us to love 
our enemies. Indeed, to do so, was contrary to Da- 
vid's own solemn engagement ; for he had sworn, 

1 Kings ii. 9. Now therefore hold him not guiltless ; for 
thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do to 
him ; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with 
blood. 



What may be said of many passages of Scripture 1 What is David represen* 
ted to say to Solomon 1 Repeat a verse from Kings. Why was it an unchris* 
tian mandate *? What had David sworn 1 



204 BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 

even by the Lord, that he would not put Shimei to 
death. ' When the passage is duly considered,' says 
Dr. Kennicott, ' it will appear highly probable, that an 
injury has been done by our translation to this illustri- 
ous character. It is not uncommon in the Hebrew 
language, to omit the negative in a second part of a 
sentence, and to consider it as repeated, when it has 
been once expressed, and is followed by the connect- 
ing particle. The necessity of so very considerable 
an alteration, as inserting the particle not, may be 
here confirmed by some other instances. Thus Psalm 
i. 5. ' The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, 
NOR sinners in the congregation of the righteous.' If, 
then, there are in fact many such instances, the ques- 
tion is, whether the negative here expressed in the 
former part of David's command, may not be under- 
stood so as to be repeated in the latter part ; and if 
this may be, a strong reason will be added, why it 
should be so interpreted. The passage will run thus, 
' Behold, thou hast with thee Shimei, who cursed me ; 
but I sware to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put 
thee to death by the sword. Now, therefore, hold him 
not guiltless ; but bring not down his hoary head to 

What does Dr. Kennicott think highly probable 1 What is common in the 
Hebrew language 1 Repeat a verse from Psalms. How might David's com- 
mand be interpreted 1 



BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 205 

the grave with blood.' Now, if the language itself 
will admit this construction, the sense thus given to 
the sentence derives a very strong support from the 
context. For, how did Solomon understand this 
charge ? Did he kill Shimei in consequence of it ? 
Certainly he did not. Knowing that he ought to be 
carefully watched, he confined him to a particular 
spot in Jerusalem for the remainder of his life. It is 
most pleasing, that this text admits of so unexception- 
able an explication. It is most unseemly for any man 
to die in the very act of malice and revenge. But 
have you any passages, Harry, which you wish me to 
explain ?" 

'^ Yes, father ; in Solomon's description of the virtu- 
ous woman, in Proverbs, it is said, that, ' her candle 
goeth not out by night ;' what does he mean .?" 

'' That industry is a distinguished feature in her 
character ; that she not only improved the day, but 
also a great part of the night. You recollect, that the 
poor negro woman, who so kindly entertained Mungo 
Park, spun and sang for a long time after he was laid 
down to rest on his mat. And do not you recollect the 
passage we read in the eighth ^Eneid, a short time 

How is this construction supported in the context 1 What did Solomon do 
with Shimei 1 How does Solomon describe a virtuous woman 1 What docB 
this mean 1 What did the negro woman do, who took care of Mungo Park 1 



306 BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 

since, which presents us with a similar picture ? Vir- 
gil, speaking of the middle of the night, says, it is 

* The time when early housewives leave the bed 
When living embers on the hearth they spread ; 
Supply the lamp, and call the maids to rise ;' 

he ludicrously adds, 

* With yawning mouths, and with half-open'd eyes, 
They ply the distaff by the winking light, 

And to their daily labour add the night ; 

Thus frugally they earn their children's bread.' " 

" But to return to the beautiful description of the 
virtuous woman to which you have referred, it is 
said, that 'her clothing is of silk and purple.' This, 
no doubt, was fine cotton, for silk was not known at 
that time. Thirteen hundred years afterwards, the 
Roman emperor, Aurelian, refused the Empress a silk 
gown, on account of its cost, so that we are sure it 
could not have been common among the Jews in the 
time of Solomon. 

'' I must also notice the twenty-third verse. It is 
said, ' She is not afraid of the snow for her household ; 
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.' The 

Repeat some lines from Virgil. What was the virtuous woman said to be 
clothed in 1 What was doubtless^'lier dress 1 Why did Aurelian refuse the 
Empress a silk ^own 1 What is said of her in the 23d verse 1 



BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS, 20t 

marg'inal reading* says, ' with double garments ;' a 
much better reason surely, why they are not afraid of 
the snow and the cold." 

'' I wanted to ask you, father, why the publican 
smote upon his breast ?" Luke xviii. 13. 

" It was an expression of deep sorrow on account 
of his sins. The practice is not unfrequently men- 
tioned by both the Greek and Latin writers, as de- 
scriptive of great affliction. Tacitus, referring to a 
person who was in much ang*uish, says, ' He stretched 
forth his hands, he prostrated himself on the ground, 
rent his garments, beat his breast, and with tears and 
groans endeavoured to mitigate resentment.' Your 
question had reference to the posture of the publican; 
do you recollect his prayer ? ' God be merciful to me, 
a sinner !' 

'^ It is an important remark of good critics, that the 
original terms rendered ' Be merciful to me' literally 

Luke xviii. 13. And the Publican standing afar off, would 
not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 
his breast, saying, God be merciful unto me a sinner. 



How is this explained in the marginal reading *? Repeat a verse from Luke [ 
What practice is mentioned by the Greek and Latin writers 1 What does 
Socrates say 1 What wag the praver of the publican % 



208 BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 

signify, ' Be propitious toward me through sacrifice ;' 
or. ' Let an atonement be made for me ; I am a sinner, 
and cannot be saved but in this way.' The verb is 
used in exactly the same sense by the best Greek wri- 
ters. Herodotus employs it, when recording the fact, 
that Croesus made an atonement to the god at Delphos 
by sacrifices. This is a very important criticism. 
Thus we see at once the reason why our Lord said, 
that the publican ' went down to his house justified 
rather than the other ;' he sought for mercy through 
an atonement for sin ; which was the only way in 
which God had from the beginning purposed to save 
sinners. But have you any other passage, Harry ?" 

" Yes, I wanted to know, why Paul told those who 
were binding him, that he was a Roman citizen,' Acts 
xxii. 25. 

'^ Because a citizen of Rome, at that period, was a 
most important character, and possessed very great 

Acts xxii. 25. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul 
said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to 
scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned ? 

What do the words, * Be merciful to me,' literally signify 1 How does He» 
rodotus use them 1 What did our Lord say of the publican '? Why did Paul 
tell those who were binding him that he was a Roman citizen 1 Repeat a verse 
from Acts. 



BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 209 

privileges. Adams, in his ^ Roman Antiquities,' re- 
marks, ' that Roman citizens were secured against the 
tyrannical treatment of the magistrates, first by the 
right of appeaUng from them to the people, and that 
the person who appealed should in no manner be pun- 
ished till the people determined the matter ; but diiefly 
by the assistance of their tribunes. None but the 
whole Roman people could pass sentence on the life 
of a Roman citizen. No magistrate was allowed to 
punish him by stripes, or capitally. The single ex- 
pression, ' I am a Roman citizen !' checked their most 
severe decrees.' 

'• Cicero, in one of his ' Orations,' has a very memo- 
rable sentence or two, on this very subject. 'In the 
midst of the forum of Messina,' says he, ' a Roman 
citizen was beaten with rods ; in the mean time, amidst 
his pangs, and the clashing of the rods, no groan of 
the wretched man was heard, no voice but this, I am 
a Roman citizen ! By thus mentioning his citizenship, 
he thought he should have put an end to his stripes 
and torments.' This was the reason why Paul told 
the chief captain, that he was a Roman citizen. The 
captain became intimidated by his exclamation, as he 

What does Adams remark 1 What does Cicero say in one of his orations 1 

14 



210 BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 

no doubt knew it was a high crime that a Roman citi- 
zen should be bound. 

'^ In Isaiah xliv. 5, the prophet declares, that ' one 
shall say, I am the Lord's ; and another shall call him- 
self by the name of Jacob ; and another shall subscribe 
with his hand unto the Lord.' Bishop Lowth observes, 
that here is an allusion to the marks, which were 
made by pvmctures rendered indelible by fire, or by stain- 
ing, upon the hand, or some other part of the body ; 
signifying the state or character of the person, and 
to whom he belonged ; the slave was marked with the 
name of his master ; the soldier with that of his com- 
mander ; and the idolater with the name or ensign of 
his god. In the earlier ages, many professed Chris- 
tians marked their wrists, or their arms, with the sign 
of the Cross, or with the name of Christ.' 

'^ Dr. Doddridge's remarks on this text are well 
worthy of notice. He says, ' Some very celebrated 
translators and critics understand the words which we 
render, ' Subscribe with his hand unto the Lord,' in a 
different sense to that in which our English version 
has given them. They would rather render them, 
' Another shall write upon his hand, I am the Lord's ;' 

Why was the captain intimidated when he heard that Paul was a Roman 
citizen 1 Repeat a verse from Isaiah. What does Bishop Lowth observe T 
What does Dr. Doddridge say of this verse of Isaiah 1 



BIBLE ILLtrSTRAtlONS. 211 

and they suppose it refers to a custom which formerly 
prevailed in the Eastj of stamping* the name of the 
general on the soldier, or that of the master on the 
slave. As this name was sometimes borne on the 
forehead, so, at other times, on the hand ; and it is 
certain that several Scriptures are to be explained by 
this allusion. From hence it seems to have grown 
into a custom amongst some idolatrous nations, when 
solemnly devoting themselves to the service of any 
deity, to be initiated into it by receiving some marks 
in their flesh, which might never wear out. This in- 
terpretation the original will certainly bear ; and it 
here makes a very strong and beautiful sense ; since 
every true Christian has a sacred and indelible char- 
acter upon him, which shall never be erased. 

''• Another passage I lately noticed is in the seventy- 
second Psalm. It is there said, that in the times of 
the Messiah, to whom the whole Psalm refers, ' They 
of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.' 
People who have never been in the East would not 
understand the comparison. Travellers tell us, that 
the inhabitants look forward with eager expectation 
to the setting in of the rainy season, when cultivation 



What was formerly a custom in the East ? What had grown into a custom 
^mong idolatrous nations '? What is said in the 72d Psalm 1 



212 BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 

commences. When the ground has been without rain 
nine months together, it looks like the barren sand in 
the deserts of Arabia, where there is not one spire of 
green grass to be seen : when the rainy season com- 
mences, and the fat enriching showers begin to fall, 
the face of the earth, as it were by a new resurrec- 
tion, is so revived, and so renewed, that it is presently 
covered all over with a pure green mantle ; so rapid 
is the progress of vegetation." 

" Well, father, do explain some more passages." 
" In the seventy-fifth Psalm, the writer says to the 
wicked, ' Lift not up your horn on high, and speak not 
with a stiff neck.' No doubt but this is intended as 
a rebuke to pride and ambition. And here is an obvi- 
ous reference to the customs of the East. Bruce, 
speaking of the head-dress of the governors of the 
provinces of Abyssinia, represents it as consisting of 
a la':ge broad fillet bound upon the forehead, and tied 
behind the head. In the middle of this was a horn, 
or a conical piece of silver gilt, about four inches long, 
much in the shape of our common candle extinguish- 
ers. This is called a horn, and is only worn at re- 
views, or parades after victory. The crooked manner 



What do travellers tell us of vegetation in the East 1 What is said in the 
7oth Psalm 1 What does Bruce say of Eastern dress 1 



BIBLE ILLUSTRATKW^S. 213 

in which they hold the neck, when this ornament is 
on their forehead, for fear it should fall forward, seems 
to agree with what the Psalmist calls, ' speaking with 
a stiff neck,' of which phrase it shows the meaning, 
when you hold the horn on high like the horn of an 
unicorn. 

'' The celebrated William Penn gives the following 
account of his interview with the American Indians 
when he purchased the land for his province of Penn- 
sylvania ; it will help to illustrate the subject. One 
of the chiefs,' says he, 'put on his head a kind of 
chaplet, in which appeared a small horn. This, as 
among the primitive Eastern nations, and according to 
Scripture language, was an emblem of kingly power ; 
and whenever the chief, who had a right to wear it, 
put it on, it was understood that the peace was made 
sacred, and the persons of all present inviolable. 
Upon putting on this horn, the Indians threw down 
their bows and arrows, and seated themselves round 
their chiefs in the form of a half-moon, upon the 
ground. The chiefs then announced to William Penn, 
by means of an interpreter, that the nations were 
ready to hear him.' " 



Repeat William Penn's description of his interview with the AmericozLln^ 
dians. 



214 BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 

'' What did Solomon mean, father, where he says, 
that ^ ointment and perfume rejoice the heart ?' " 

'^ Doubtless he meant, they were very agreeable and 
refreshing. This is a very general opinion in the 
East. Almost all their apartments are filled with fra- 
grance. ' Towards the conclusion of a visit,' says 
Savary, ' in Egypt, a silver plate, on which are burn- 
ing precious spices, approaches the faces of the visi- 
tors, each of whom in his turn perfumes his beard. 
They then pour rose-water on the head and hands. 
This is the last ceremony ; after which it is usual to 
withdraw." 

" ' At my taking leave of a chief in India,' says 
Lord Valentia, ' the usual compliments passed, rose- 
water was presented, and our chins were perfumed 
with frankincense.' 

'' Fragrant wood is often burnt in the houses of the 
East, in order to scent the apartments. Aloes wood 
is often used for this purpose. Maundrell tells us, that 
it is put into a small silver chafing-dish, covered with a 
lid full of holes, and fixed upon a handsome plate. In 
thi^ they put some fresh coals, and upon them a piece 
of lignum aloes ; and then, shutting it up, the smoke 

Why is it said that ointment and perfume rejoice the heart *? What does 
Savar}' say of an eastern visit '* What does Lord Valentia say'? What are 
often burnt in the East '? 



BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS. 216 

immediately ascends with a grateful odour through 
the cover. It is not improbable that Solomon had 
reference to some such custom prevalent in his day. 

'' Thus, you see, Harry, that the more the sacred 
Scriptures are examined, the more excellent they ap- 
pear. It is also evident, that, by an actual reference 
to the usages of the countries in which the facts re- 
corded transpired, they may be explained and illustra- 
ted in a very striking and instructive manner. We 
have only to glance at the most admirable productions 
of the greatest men among the heathen nations, — 
such as the v/orks of Homer, or Virgil, or Horace, to 
see that they, or any of our race, were absolutely in- 
capable of inventing any volume at all resembling the 
Scriptures. But can you repeat Dryden's admirable 
lines on this subject ?" 

' Whence but from Heaven should men, unskill'd in arts, 
In different ages born, in different parts. 
Weave such agreeing truths ? Or how, or why, 
Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie ? 
Unask'd their pains, ungrateful their advice. 
Starving their gains, and martyrdom their price.' 

What does Maundrell tell us 1 How may we easily understand the Scrip- 
tures 1 What have we only to do '? Repeat some lines from Dryden. 



THE END. 



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